Federal Challenges to State Lawyer Discipline Proceedings Tossed

A Pennsylvania attorney’s federal challenges to state disciplinary proceedings against him were dismissed by a federal district court Sept. 30.

Faced with two ethical complaints stemming from his accusations of administrative misconduct against two state workers’ compensation judges, Robert Murphy filed a bevy of claims against the state disciplinary office, the attorneys investigating and prosecuting him, the state disciplinary board, and members of that board. He sought declaratory and injunctive relief, and monetary damages.

Abstaining from the claims for declaratory and injunctive relief, the opinion by Judge Edward G. Smith of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of ...