Can a lawyer be found guilty of professional misconduct for not doing enough to advance a client’s action for more than three years?

In Law Society of BC v. Simons, 2012 LSBC 23, the respondent did nothing to advance his client’s action for more than three years. He failed to respond substantively to emails from his client for more than two years and lied to her about taking steps he had not in fact taken. He also concealed from his client that the defendant had brought an application to dismiss her action for want of prosecution. This application was successful, with costs of the application and the proceeding to the defendant. The respondent admitted to professional misconduct for failing to provide adequate service and also for misleading his client. He was suspended for one month.