No arrest warrant for disbarred lawyer Woodruff

Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman did not issue an arrest warrant for controversial disbarred lawyer Stephen C. Woodruff after the latter submitted a document that the judge has been asking him to comply with the disbarment order.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Wiseman disclosed that Woodruff submitted, without filing or service on the other party in the disciplinary case, a document entitled, “In Camera Submission of Current and Pending Clients.”

In-camera submission means filed in private.

The judge said Woodruff stated reasons he believes exist that made it necessary for him to submit the document in this matter.

In an order issued on Friday, Wiseman said the court will issue an arrest warrant Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 9am for the lawyer to serve five days in prison if the court will not have a document that it deems is satisfactory regarding with the mandate of Rule 15 of the Commonwealth Disciplinary Rules and Procedure and the disbarment order.

In his order issued on Tuesday, Wiseman noted that Woodruff’s in-camera submission was not requested by disciplinary counsel Thomas Clifford nor authorized by the court.

The judge said notwithstanding Woodruff’s alleged apprehension regarding submission of a list of his clients, the court has not and will not make any finding thereon and does not deem that it warrants an in camera submission without prior court’s authorization.

Wiseman pointed out that this disciplinary matter is not a sealed hearing and clients of a disbarred attorney, although they should be treated with discretion as to any notoriety, are not under seal.

Citing a precedent case, the judge said if the information should be protected, one should assert the privilege protecting the information and request an in camera inspection.

Wiseman said he is not treating Woodruff’s submission “in-camera” and will the court’s clerk file it and serve it on disciplinary counsel Clifford.

On Oct. 2, 2013, Wiseman found Woodruff in civil contempt for not complying with the court’s disbarment order and sentenced him to five days in jail. The sentence, however, will be suspended if the lawyer complies with the requirements of the disbarment order.

Last Oct. 25, Wiseman found the lawyer’s filing of affidavit “not deem adequate” to satisfy the court’s disbarment order against him.

The judge then ordered Woodruff to appear in court last Thursday, Nov. 21, to explain and clarify how his affidavit satisfied the court’s mandates.

Woodruff was subsequently given until Tuesday at 9am to produce the required document.