Winchester lawyer suspended; receiver appointed

The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board has summarily suspended the license of Winchester lawyer Gary Lance Smith on impairment grounds.

In its order entered Tuesday, the board said Smith suffers from diabetes, “the complications of which prevent him from practicing law at the current time.”

Earlier this month, the VSB’s office of bar counsel asked the Winchester Circuit Court to appoint a receiver for Smith’s practice, and the court named Patricia A. Woodward to fill that position.

The receivership petition said Smith’s license has been suspended administratively since June. It said Smith has not occupied his office for at least six months, utilities and telephone have been connected for nonpayment, and the office has unopened mail with postmarks that are several months old.

Clients have contacted the bar and said they have been unable to get in touch with Smith, according to the petition.