PITTSBURGH — An “emergency temporary suspension” was issued Friday by the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel against Elk County attorney Christopher Martini, effective Nov. 19.

Martini represents clients in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Jefferson counties, the order noted, and directed the president judges of those counties to enter orders to protect the rights of his clients.

As part of the order, Martini was directed to prepare and deliver a complete list of names and addresses of all of his clients, along with any entities where he is fiduciary, to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Pittsburgh.

The order noted that Martini has the right to petition to dissolve or amend the order.

The order does not give background on the reason why Martini was being suspended. It did note, however, that the suspension will last until further definitive action by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

This action comes three months after a public reprimand by the disciplinary board that alleged he had communicated in a sexually explicit manner with a client, and that he had been paid for providing appeal services to a client, but did not provide the services.

Similar conduct, alleging missed deadlines in criminal appeals, came to light in a prominent case from McKean County.

In September, the state Superior Court referred Martini to the disciplinary board for failing to file paperwork in an appeal challenging the sentence of Daniel Oaks, a Bradford defendant imprisoned on a homicide by vehicle charge.

The Superior Court withdrew Martini from the Oaks case.