Case ID: ne2d_999/html/0847-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Stephen P. WOLFE, Respondent.
    No. 27S00-1106-DI-324.
    Supreme Court of Indiana.
    Dec. 12, 2013.
   PUBLISHED ORDER ACCEPTING RESIGNATION AND CONCLUDING PROCEEDING

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a "Notice of Guilty Finding and Request for Suspension" against Respondent on June 2, 2011. The Court entered an order of interim suspension effective July 20, 2011, which is still in effect. The Commission filed a "Verified Complaint for Disciplinary Action" against Respondent on April 9, 2018. Respondent has now tendered to this Court an affidavit of resignation from the bar of this State, pursuant to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 28(17), which requires an ac-knowledgement that the material facts alleged are true and that Respondent could not successfully defend himself if prosecuted.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the resignation from the bar of this State tendered by Respondent is accepted effective immediately, The Clerk of this Court is directed to record Respondent's resignation on the Roll of Attorneys. Respondent shall fulfill all the applicable duties under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(26)(d).

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any attorney disciplinary proceedings pending against Respondent are hereby dismissed as moot because of Respondent's resignation.

Respondent shall be ineligible to petition for reinstatement to the practice of law for five years from the date of this order. See Admis. Disc. R. 23(4)(a). The egregious misconduct charged in the verified complaint may have resulted in permanent disbarment had Respondent not chosen voluntary resignation from the bar. If Respondent seeks reinstatement, the misconduct admitted in Respondent's affidavit of resignation, as well as any other allegations of misconduct, will be addressed in the reinstatement process. Approval of a petition for reinstatement is discretionary and may be granted only if Respondent could meet the most stringent burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence all the requirements of Admission and Discipline Rule 23(4)(b), including without limitation that he can safely be recommended to the legal profession, the courts and the public as a person fit to represent them and otherwise act in matters of trust and confidence; and that he is genuinely remorseful for his misconduct. Acceptance of Respondent's resignation from the bar serves only to remove him from the practice of law and does not relieve him from any liability he might have for his misconduct under civil or eriminal law.

'The costs of this proceeding are assessed against Respondent. With the acceptance of this resignation, the hearing officer appointed in this case is discharged.

The Clerk is directed to forward a copy of this Order to the hearing officer, to the parties or their respective attorneys, and to all other entities entitled to notice under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(8)(d). The Clerk is further directed to post this order to the Court's website, and Thomson Reuters is directed to publish a copy of this order in the bound volumes of this Court's decisions.

All Justices concur, except RUSH, J., who would reject the resignation and seek disbarment.