NV Bar Concerned About Attorney’s Well-Being

According to reports, Maynarich doesn’t have any complaints pending against him. The recent competency hearing request was made after the lawyer filed a lawsuit against John Cotton, a longtime attorney, on June 27th. According to the complaint, Maynarich says Cotton may have been involved in a number of conspiracies against him throughout his legal career. According to Maynarich, the behavior began back in 2017 when Cotton allegedly attempted to steal his license plate. Later that same year, Cotton reportedly “tampered” with chicken belonging to Maynarich that was in a shared company refrigerator.

Per the complaint, Maynarich is requesting a trial by jury. The complaint also included what Counsel Daniel Hooge is calling “veiled threats.” The complaint states that Maynarich can’t “beat up the old man” because he respects the elderly.

John Cotton, who has been a licensed Nevada attorney since 1995, adamantly denies all the claims outlined by Maynarich. Further, Cotton alleges that he didn’t even meet Maynarich until 2024. Cotton’s legal team believes the claimant may be attempting to abuse the court system in an attempt to damage Cotton’s reputation. Cotton also expressed concern for the well-being of both the claimant and other paralegals who have been struggling to navigate the pressures of the legal system recently.

Cotton says he hired Maynarich, but the attorney would “scream” at clients and caused clients and co-workers to be afraid of him. According to his co-workers his behavior “got stranger and stranger,” until he resigned a few months later.

Maynarich has previously spoken to journalists about his mental health. He has stated that he hasn’t been diagnosed with any mental health conditions and he doesn’t need treatment. He also stated that other individuals are involved in a “civil conspiracy” to make him sound like a crazy person.

Unfortunately for Maynarich, the lawyer is facing pending criminal charges in an unrelated case. In that case, Maynarich is accused of injuring or tampering with a vehicle, which is a felony. The police report suggests that Maynarich may have smashed all the windows, headlights, and taillights of a man’s vintage Cadillac, causing over $20,000 worth of damage.

What is a Competency Hearing?

Under Nevada Supreme Court Rule 117, an attorney might be subject to a competency hearing if there is reason to believe the lawyer might be incapacitated and unable to practice law. The attorney could be incapacitated as a result of a physical or mental condition.

During the hearing, medical experts will consider the facts and make a recommendation. If the attorney is incapacitated, then their status with the bar will be moved to inactive or potentially suspended.

Similarly, a competency hearing might apply to a criminal case, where the defendant is deemed unfit to stand trial due to a mental illness or other incapacitating condition.

If you have a criminal competency hearing coming up, then our team can help. Schedule a call with us now by leaving your contact details on our online form.