Attorney William Payne Indefinitely Suspended on Disability Grounds
Summary
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has granted disciplinary counsel's petition and indefinitely suspended attorney William Payne (Bar Registration No. 419255) from the practice of law in the District of Columbia, effective immediately, on grounds of disability. All pending investigations or disciplinary matters against Mr. Payne are held in abeyance during the suspension. The court directed Mr. Payne to comply with the requirements of D.C. Bar R. XI, §§ 14 and 16 regarding suspended attorneys and § 13(g) regarding reinstatement.
“It is FURTHER ORDERED that the petition is granted, and respondent William Payne is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia on the grounds of disability, effective immediately, and any pending investigations or other disciplinary matters against respondent are held in abeyance.”
D.C. Bar members who become aware of a disability affecting their ability to practice should be familiar with D.C. Bar R. XI, § 13(c) and (e), as the rule permits indefinite suspension while holding disciplinary investigations in abeyance — a mechanism that may be preferable to continued practice despite incapacity. Attorneys currently under investigation should review whether a disability petition could be a strategic option, and Bar counsel should ensure sensitive medical information in such petitions remains sealed per the court's protective order.
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GovPing monitors DC Court of Appeals for new courts & legal regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 23 changes logged to date.
What changed
The court granted a lodged petition under seal and entered an order indefinitely suspending attorney William Payne from the practice of law in the District of Columbia. The suspension is based on disability pursuant to D.C. Bar R. XI, § 13(c) and (e), and is effective immediately. The petition, which contains sensitive medical information, remains under seal even though the suspension order is a public document.
Attorneys practicing in the District of Columbia should note that disability-based suspension is a mechanism under the D.C. Bar Rules that places pending disciplinary matters in abeyance while the attorney is unable to practice. Suspended attorneys must comply with D.C. Bar R. XI, §§ 14 and 16, and may seek reinstatement under § 13(g). The case number was changed from the confidential No. 26-BS-0209 to the public No. 26-BG-0209 upon entry of this order.
What to do next
- Respondent is directed to comply with D.C. Bar R. XI, §§ 14 and 16, relating to suspended attorneys
- Respondent should review D.C. Bar R. XI, § 13(g), relating to reinstatement
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Notice: This order is subject to formal revision before publication in the Atlantic and Maryland Reporters. Users are requested to notify the Clerk of the Court of any formal errors so that corrections may be made before the bound volumes go to press.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS No. 26-BG-0209 IN RE WILLIAM PAYNE, ESQUIRE, Respondent. A Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals BDN: 26-PD-004 Bar Registration No. 419255 DDN: 2021-D101 et al. BEFORE: Beckwith, McLeese, and Howard, Associate Judges. O R D E R (FILED--April 23, 2026) On consideration of Disciplinary Counsel's motion for leave to file under seal the Board on Professional Responsibility's lodged consent petition to indefinitely suspend respondent from the practice of law based on disability pursuant to D.C. Bar
XI, § 13(c) and (e), it is
ORDERED that the motion for leave is granted, and the Clerk shall file the lodged petition, which contains sensitive medical information, under seal. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the petition is granted, and respondent William Payne is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia on the grounds of disability, effective immediately, and any pending investigations or other disciplinary matters against respondent are held in abeyance. See D.C. BarXI, § 13(c). It is
FURTHER ORDERED that respondent's attention is drawn to the requirements of D.C. Bar R. XI, §§ 14 and 16, relating to suspended attorneys, and the provisions of D.C. Bar R XI, § 13(g), relating to reinstatement. It is FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, that the case number is changed from No. 26-BS-0209 to No. 26-BG-0209 (as shown in the caption above) to reflect that this
No. 26-BG-0209 matter is no longer "confidential" upon the entry of this order of suspension, see D.C. Bar R. XI, 17(b), although the petition will remain under seal as ordered. PER CURIAM
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