Case Title: In the Matter of Tabak

Citation: 362 N.E.2d 475

Docket Number: 

State: indiana

Court: Indiana Supreme Court

Date: 1977-05-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
362 N.E.2d 475 (1977)
In the matter of Morris Tabak.
No. 171S11.

Supreme Court of Indiana.
May 6, 1977.
Ronald E. Elberger, Indianapolis, for respondent.
David B. Hughes, Trial Counsel, Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, Indianapolis, for Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
PER CURIAM.
This is a disciplinary proceeding before this Court on a verified complaint filed, pursuant to Admission and Discipline Rule 23, Section 12, by the Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana. Under this complaint, the respondent is charged with conduct violating Disciplinary Rules 1-102(A)(1), (5), and (6); 7-102(A)(8); and 9-101(A) of the Code of Professional Responsibility and further charged with violating Canon 1 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Ethics. A Hearing Officer was appointed in this cause; a hearing was conducted; and the Hearing Officer has filed his findings of fact, conclusions and recommendation. The respondent has petitioned this Court for review, and both the respondent and the Disciplinary Commission have filed briefs for consideration by this Court in the matter.
After examining all matters which have been submitted in this cause, it appears that there is little dispute with regard to the facts underlying this disciplinary proceeding. Being duly advised, we now adopt and accept as the findings of this Court the following findings of fact submitted by the Hearing Officer:
In light of the above findings of fact, which this Court has adopted and accepted as its own, we now conclude that the respondent's conduct as a pro-tem judge was not free from impropriety or the appearance of impropriety and that his conduct as an attorney constituted the acceptance of private employment in a matter upon the merits of which the respondent had acted in a judicial capacity. We further conclude that his conduct as an attorney was contrary *477 to a disciplinary rule, was prejudicial to the administration of justice, and adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law. Accordingly, we now find that, by reason of the above misconduct, the respondent has violated Disciplinary Rules 1-102(A)(1), (5) and (6); 7-102(A)(8); and 9-101(A) of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Canon 1 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Ethics, as then in effect.
While there has been no real dispute with regard to the facts of this case, the petition for review and briefs filed under this cause do frame an issue as to the appropriate punishment that should be imposed by reason of this misconduct.
On several occasions, this Court has indicated that in determining the appropriate discipline to be imposed, consideration is given to the nature of the ethical violation; the specific acts of the respondent; this Court's responsibility to preserve the integrity of the Bar of this State; the risk, if any, to which we will subject the public by permitting the respondent to continue in the profession or to be reinstated at some future date; and the deterrent effect the imposition of discipline has on the Bar in general. In re Wood (1976), Ind., 358 N.E.2d 128; In re Noel (1976), Ind., 350 N.E.2d 623; In re Lee (1974), 262 Ind. 439, 317 N.E.2d 444.
In the present case, the respondent, as an attorney, was placed within a position of trust in the judicial system; he was assigned the duties of a judge pro tempore. In such capacity, he was expected to exercise his professional judgment in reaching all decisions; he was expected to act in a fair and impartial manner. The only way our judicial system can effectively function is if all members meet such expectations and honor the trust that is placed in the exercise of judicial responsibility.
Instead of accepting his responsibilities, respondent chose to use his brief judicial power to further personal objectives. He sought out legal matters relating to his clients and disposed of the matters so that they would be satisfied with the legal services provided by his law firm. This conduct ignores any concept of trust and responsibility and demonstrates a total disregard to the ethical requirements of all attorneys and judges.
This Court totally abhors the acts of the respondent and must assure that the members of the Bar and the public in general understand that even the suggestion of such conduct will be answered in the strongest terms. This Court can only conclude that in order to protect the public in general from future conduct of this nature and in order to preserve the integrity of the legal profession, the maximum disciplinary sanction must be imposed in this case. Accordingly, by reason of the misconduct found under the verified complaint filed in this cause, it is now ordered that the respondent be and he hereby is disbarred as an attorney in the State of Indiana.
Costs of these proceedings are assessed against the respondent.