Garry l. BRECKON
OSB #97221
Hillsboro
Public reprimand
On Sept. 13, the disciplinary board approved a stipulation for discipline reprimanding Hillsboro lawyer Garry L. Breckon for violation of DR 6-101 (A) (lack of competence).
Breckon represented his client in a dissolution of marriage proceeding involving child custody and the disposition of assets. Although Breckon had performed legal work in dissolution matters on prior occasions, Breckon had no previous experience with a dissolution in which significant real property issues existed. The chief issue remaining in the dissolution was the disposition of the marital home.
Breckon arrived at trial without the knowledge, skill or preparation reasonably necessary to thoroughly represent the interests of his client in the distribution of assets. As a result of his inexperience, Breckon believed that opposing counsel would arrange an appraisal of the value of the marital home on behalf of both parties. Breckon failed to exercise the necessary diligence to collect documents in a timely fashion and to pre-mark his exhibits and show them to opposing counsel. Breckon failed to offer exhibits into evidence until prompted by the court and neglected to elicit evidence regarding the value of the home or the costs of sale which might offset that value. As a result, Breckons client suffered actual and potential injury.
The stipulation noted that Breckon had no record of prior discipline; made a full and free disclosure to disciplinary counsels office and expressed remorse for his conduct.
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