Bar Association president accused of using false title

The president of Panama’s National Bar Association (ANC) Dionicio Rodríguez, has been denounced before its Court of Honor accused of falsely claiming a doctorate that he allegedly, does not possess.

Lawyer Joel Caballero accuses Rodriguez of violating the  Attorney Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of for attributing himself an academic title that he does not possess, considered a breach of ethics “that he publicly or privately uses or attributes academic degrees that he does not possess”.

According to the Caballero, Rodríguez has used the title of “doctor” at different times and contexts.

For example, the Complainant affirms that on September 3, 2018, Rodríguez granted a power of attorney in which he presents himself as “doctor”. “That power he did in his capacity as president of the National Bar Association, which aggravates his unethical behavior,” says Caballero.

He also says that during the elections of the Bar Association to choose its authorities for 2017 and 2019, “it was common to see advertisements where [Rodríguez] used the academic title  Dr. “He also used it in other activities and documents of the ANC “ reports La Prensa.

The plaintiff also points out that Rodríguez’s website specifies that he studied in a doctoral program, which “makes a difference between being a graduate and having completed a program” that “clearly indicates that he has not finished the qualification requirements.” He also cites the absence of a doctor’s degree in the curriculum of the firm for which Rodríguez works.

Rodríguez told La Prensa he knew nothing about the complaint.