Matter of a Member of the Bar: Tease

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN THE MATTER OF A MEMBER §
OF THE BAR OF THE SUPREME § No. 86, 2018
COURT OF THE STATE OF §
DELAWARE: §
§
CHRISTOPHER D. TEASE, §
Petitioner. §
§
Submitted: February 20, 2018
Decided: February 22, 2018
Before STRINE, Chief Justice; VALIHURA and TRAYNOR, Justices.
ORDER
(1) On November 20, 2014, the Court transferred the petitioner,
Christopher D. Tease, to disability inactive status, which restricted his ability to
practice law indefinitely and stayed pending disciplinary proceedings against
him. Tease now petitions the Court to be returned to active status.
(2) The Office of Disciplinary Counsel does not oppose the petition,
which is supported by an expert evaluation that Tease’s disability has been
removed and that his return to the active practice of law, subject to specific
restrictions, will not be detrimental to the administration of justice in Delaware.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the petition for reinstatement
is GRANTED. Christopher D. Tease, Esquire shall be reinstated, effective
immediately, as a member of the Bar of this Court subject to the following
conditions for the duration of the pending disciplinary proceedings:
a. Tease is prohibited from engaging in the solo practice of law;
b. Tease is prohibited from acting as managing partner in charge of
books and records of a firm;
c. Tease shall notify any employer of these conditions;
d. Tease shall remain in active treatment with a licensed mental health
treatment provider;
e. Tease shall execute a formal monitoring agreement with DE-LAP
and comply with all conditions deemed appropriate by DE-LAP;
f. Tease shall meet on a monthly basis with a mutually agreed upon
practice monitor who will closely review his legal work and cases, and the
practice monitor shall provide quarterly reports to the ODC regarding Tease’s
compliance with the conditions of reinstatement;
g. Tease shall report any violations of the conditions of his
reinstatement to the ODC directly; and
h. Tease shall cooperate promptly and fully with the ODC in its efforts
to monitor compliance with his conditions of reinstatement. Tease shall
cooperate with the ODC’s investigation of any allegations of unprofessional
conduct that may come to the ODC’s attention. Upon the ODC’s request, Tease
shall provide authorization for release of information and documentation, to the
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extent not granted above, to verify compliance with the conditions of
reinstatement to active status. If the ODC, after giving Tease notice and an
opportunity to respond, concludes that Tease has violated his conditions, then it
may file a petition directly to this Court requesting Tease’s suspension or transfer
to disability active status.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Leo E. Strine, Jr.
Chief Justice
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