In the Matter of Stephen B. Taylor

These disciplinary matters are before the Court on Notices of Discipline seeking the disbarment of Stephen B. Taylor State Bar No. 701200. The State Bar attempted to serve Taylor personally at the address listed with the State Bar, but the sheriff filed a return of service non est inventus. The State Bar then properly served Taylor by publication, pursuant to Bar Rule 4 203.1 b 3 ii, but Taylor failed to file a Notice of Rejection. Therefore, he is in default, has waived his rights to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and further proceedings as may be determined by this Court. See Bar Rule 4 208.1 b.

The facts, as deemed admitted by virtue of Taylor’s default, show that, with regard to S15Y1766, Taylor agreed to represent a client in a criminal sentencing matter and was paid $750 by the client’s family to do so. After a single initial visit with the client, Taylor failed to do any work on the client’s behalf, abandoned the matter, and failed to communicate with the client or the client’s family. Similarly, in S15Y1767, Taylor agreed to represent a client in a criminal matter and was paid $2,650 by the client’s family to do so. Taylor failed to do any work on the matter, abandoned the matter, failed to communicate with the client or the client’s family, and failed to return the fee that he was paid. As to each matter, Taylor was served by publication with a Notice of Investigation, but he failed to file a timely sworn, written response, as required by Bar Rule 4 204.3