Area attorney disbarred; records sealed

A state disciplinary panel has disbarred an area attorney and sealed the records of the case.

Attorney Linda Ziembicki, of Rural Valley, was disbarred on consent by the disciplinary board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, under an order handed down Thursday by the high court.

The disbarment takes effect March 16.`

A spokeswoman at the court said the board usually gives 30 days to allow an attorney to close out cases and direct clients to find other representation.

Laura Mohney, counsel to the board, said Ziembicki submitted a verified statement of resignation, which has been sealed by the court.

Ziembicki was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in April 2000, and apparently practiced law only in Armstrong County.

According to a state court system web page identifying Ziembicki as a registered attorney (state ID No. 85102), she was not affiliated with a law firm or any other legal organization.

“I do not maintain professional liability insurance pursuant to the provisions of the Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4 (c), but I do have private clients and/or possible exposure to malpractice actions,” according to a comment Ziembicki posted on the page.

Disbarment by the state Supreme Court is the most extreme form of discipline that the 13-member board is empowered to impose.

Attorneys are subject to private admonition, private reprimand, public reprimand, probation, public censure and suspension for as long as five years, in addition to license revocation and disbarment, for misconduct and other violation of the state’s disciplinary rules for lawyers.

She could not be reached for comment.

Two published telephone numbers for Ziembicki’s law office are disconnected.

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Area attorney disbarred; records sealed