Last week the Commercial reported the suspension of Pine Bluff City Attorney Althea Hadden-Scott’s license to practice law due to her failure to complete required continuing education credits. This lapse is troubling on a number of frontiers. It is disruptive to the business of the city and disrespectful of the citizenry.
As any public school teacher in Arkansas can attest, the accrual of continuing education credits is an annual ritual that must be faithfully attended. It often means long hours outside of work, on weekends and in the stead of other, more preferable activities. In short, it is the predicate to employment as a teacher in the state. Legal practice is no different.
To be sure, we all make mistakes. We all forget about obligations. We all put off things we shouldn’t. The difference in this case is that Hadden-Scott is a publically elected official whose duties are predicated on her ability to practice law.
Hadden-Scott attempted to deflect negative reaction by explaining a mix-up with mailboxes. With a matter as important as state licensure, such excuses just don’t fly. She should know that the law is a game of precise words and fine line definitions. She had an obligation to the people — an obligation that was hers and hers alone — that she failed to honor.
According to Arkansas Municipal League attorney Mark Hayes, former chairman of the continuing legal education board, Hadden-Scott, “can’t practice law in any form or fashion” until the license is restored.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Corollary to her immediate incapacity to practice law, she by definition cannot act as the city attorney for Pine Bluff. As such, it is questionable whether she should remain on the public payroll during the time of her suspension. If she has received any pay since the time of suspension, she should be made to deposit an equal amount in escrow until such time as the license is restored. Moreover, any other benefits or perks of office should also be forfeited.
To some this may seem a harsh reproach for an arguably minor flub. It is not. Officials like Hadden-Scott were hired in part because they held the requisite credentials for office. It is simply a matter of having baseline standards for public employees. Were the tables turned, say for instance if the police chief had her state law enforcement certification suspended, would we then want her to continue to head the city’s police department? The same could be said of any other person whose job duties are dependent on state licensure or certification. Would we want a doctor or pilot with a suspended license to hold our fate in their hands? This is little difference.
In the long run, the less we expect of our public officials, the less we will get. The people we elect to represent our interests are supposed to be the best, brightest and most professionally accomplished within their particular competency. Having let something as important as one’s license be suspended over a trivial amount of continuing education credits does not inspire confidence. Moreover, it gives us pause to wonder what other details have been overlooked during her tenure. While the suspension may be easily remedied, the breach of public trust demands greater.