Pa. Supreme Court reinstates two lawyers
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Two Pittsburgh attorneys previously suspended by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Board have been reinstated.
Richard J. McCague, a former Allegheny County assistant public defender, was suspended for two years, beginning November 2006 for mishandling client matters in two cases.
Earlier that year, he was subject of a public censure when he was convicted of a summary offense for attempting to smuggle tobacco and marijuana into the county jail while visiting a private client.
The board, at the time, found that Mr. McCague had a history of enaging in conduct detrimental to his clients and the legal profession and that "his actions reveal a lack of lucid judgment."
Since his suspension, Mr. McCague worked full time in a fundraising business.
Joseph Hudak, who was originally admitted to practice in 1986, was suspended in March 2005 for one year and one day for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct involving eight separate clients. The Board found Mr. Hudak engaged in a "pattern of promises made to clients with no resulting action."
After his state suspension, Mr. Hudak continued to work in federal court, but was suspended there in April 2009, also for one year and one day.
After that, he was employed doing legal fee auditing.
Mr. Hudak received media attention in 2002 when he was held in contempt of court and jailed by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman for failing to appear at two separate hearings.
Both men petititioned for reinstatement, providing references, citing their work in the community, and efforts to earn credit for continuing legal education.
First Published October 25, 2012 12:00 am
