Stubbs, Reader suspended for failing to respond to ODC complaints

Montana attorneys Margaret Reader and Todd Stubbs were both suspended from practicing law indefinitely for no less than seven months for failure to respond to disciplinary complaints against them.

The complaint against Stubbs arose after the Office of Disciplinary Counsel received a grievance against him alleging he had abandoned a client and failed to protect the client’s interests. After Stubbs failed to respond to the complaint and a follow-up letter sent in November and December 2020, ODC received another complaint in January 2021, this one alleging that Stubbs accepted a $7,000 fee but failed to pursue the case, canceled or failed to show for numerous appointments and failed to return the client’s messages. ODC attempted contacting Stubbs again by email and at multiple mailing addresses associated with him, all of which were returned as undeliverable.

The ODC’s involvement with Reader arose after it received a grievance from a district court judge along with documentation from a standing master that Reader had failed to appear at hearings, she had been sanctioned for failing to appear, and that the judge and standing master had attempted to address the pattern of behavior with Reader to no avail. ODC also received several informal calls reporting that Reader had stopped appearing at her firm. An ODC investigation found that she had not been seen in her office for a significant period, and that she was in the process of being evicted. Reader also failed to answer to ODC’s complaint and multiple attempts by ODC to reach her.

The Commission on Practice held hearings for Stubbs and Reader on Oct. 27 and 28, 2021, respectively. Neither appeared at their hearings. The commission concluded that both were in default for failing to respond and that they both had violated M. R. Pro. Cond. 8.1(b). The Supreme Court accepted the Commission’s recommendation for both Reader and Stubbs of suspension from the practice of law for a period of not less than seven months and imposition of the costs and expenses of ODC’s investigation and the Commission's proceedings. The Commission reasoned that their actions indicate lack of interest in complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct and that they could cause significant harm to his clients, opposing parties and counsel, and the justice system.

The court noted that as of its Jan. 25, 2022, orders imposing discipline on Stubbs and Reader that neither has responded in any manner to ODC, the Commission on Practice, or the Supreme Court regarding this disciplinary matter. The suspensions are effective 30 days from the date of the orders.

Read the disciplinary orders against Stubbs and Reader here:

PR 21-0359
PR 21-0353