Case Title: Matter of Willis

Citation: 114 N.J. 42, 552 A.2d 979

Docket Number: 

State: new-jersey

Court: New Jersey Supreme Court

Date: 1989-01-13T00:00:00Z

Document:
114 N.J. 42 (1989) 552 A.2d 979 IN THE MATTER OF PETER R. WILLIS, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW. The Supreme Court of New Jersey. Argued September 14, 1988. Decided January 13, 1989. William R. Wood, Deputy Ethics Counsel, argued the cause on behalf of Office of Attorney Ethics. Alan J. Karcher argued the cause for respondent (Karcher, McDonnell, Rainone & Aftanski, attorneys). PER CURIAM. Respondent comes before us in response to an order to show cause issued on the basis of the decision and recommendation *43 of the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) that he be suspended for one year. Although we agree with the decision that respondent's misconduct calls for a suspension, we conclude that a period of six months is the more appropriate discipline. Initially the matter was heard by a special master, Julius Feinberg, a retired judge of the Superior Court, whose findings provided the basis for the presentment returned by the District VI (Hudson County) Ethics Committee. Thereafter the DRB found respondent guilty of (1) gross neglect in six separate matters involving clients during the years 1980 to 1984, and of a pattern of neglect in those matters; (2) misrepresentation to one client in 1982 by knowingly issuing a check drawn on insufficient funds; (3) a pattern of overreaching, consisting of charging unreasonable fees in eight separate matters; and (4) of the willful failure to file his 1981 federal income tax return, as evidenced by his conviction for that offense in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Our focus is on respondent's conviction for failing to file his income tax return and on his argument that this offense, like the other disciplinary infractions, was the product of his chemical substance abuse, including alcoholism. In this regard, the DRB found that respondent With respect to respondent's infractions, the DRB found: *47 Mindful that the purpose of disciplinary action is not punishment of the attorney, but the protection of the public, the DRB considered the effect of respondent's substance abuse on his ability to practice law: The failure of a lawyer to file an income tax return is a serious transgression, regardless of mitigating circumstances, In re Queenan, 61 N.J. 579, 580 (1972), and cannot be redressed by a public reprimand, In re Van Arsdale, 44 N.J. 318, 319 (1965). Although mitigating circumstances may be relevant to the failure to file an income tax return, In re Knox, 58 N.J. 218, 219 (1971), we must weigh those mitigating circumstances in light of respondent's other acts of misconduct. We need not dwell on those acts except to state that over a five-year period respondent committed six acts of unethical conduct that demonstrated a pattern of neglect in violation of DR 6-101(A)(2). Those acts caused inconvenience to some clients and financial loss to others. During the same period, he overcharged several clients, thereby establishing a pattern of charging excessive fees in violation of DR 2-106. Additionally, he committed an act of misrepresentation in issuing to a client a personal check while knowing that it would be dishonored. All this reflects adversely on his fitness to practice law in violation of DR 1-102(A)(4) and (6). In sum, the offenses indicate that between 1980 and 1984 respondent was unfit to practice law. DR 1-102(A)(6). Ordinarily, respondent's misconduct would call for a prolonged suspension. In the past, we have imposed a one-year suspension on attorneys who fail to file tax returns even though they had committed no other ethical offenses. See In *49 re Moore, 103 N.J. 702 (1986); In re Fahy, 85 N.J. 698 (1986). When added to his other misdeeds, respondent's failure to file his tax return would justify a substantial suspension. The record is clear that while respondent was in the throes of alcoholism, he was a menace to the public and to the integrity of the legal profession. For the past three years, however, he has been an inspiration to many and a credit to the bar. Should we concentrate solely on his past ethical infractions and ignore his remarkable recovery? In another context, we have recognized that alcoholism is a handicap and a disease. Clowes v. Terminix Int'l, Inc., 109 N.J. 575, 590-95 (1988). Thus, we are confronted with an apparent dilemma between our commitment to maintain public confidence in the bar and our belief that alcoholism can drastically affect the conduct of people, including lawyers. As this case illustrates, alcoholic lawyers are a threat not just to themselves, but to the clients who rely on them. We believe we best serve the public and the bar by rendering a decision that encourages lawyers to seek help to avoid inflicting continuing harm on their clients. With respect to alcoholic lawyers, the public may be best protected by a policy that encourages those lawyers to seek rehabilitation at the earliest possible moment. Such a policy would not only start afflicted lawyers on the road to recovery, but would contain the harm that they can inflict on their clients. We state that proposition tentatively and with the awareness that we have much to learn about chemical addiction, including alcoholism. On the record before us, we are persuaded that respondent has gained control of his life. In 1984, when he admitted himself to the Center for Addictive Illnesses, he hit "rock bottom." Since then, he has climbed back to a position of trust and respect in the bar. Lawyers who distrusted him when he was an alcoholic have written glowingly of his conduct over the past three years. Adversaries in bitterly contested matters are effusive in their praise of his conduct as a trial lawyer. Outside the courtroom, he has taken his message into public *50 schools, to meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, and to lawyers wrestling with substance abuse. Should we ignore his good works? What message would that send to similarly afflicted lawyers? How would that protect the public interest? To answer those questions, we must balance respondent's proof in mitigation with his willful failure to file his 1981 income tax return and with his other ethical infractions. In the absence of respondent's remarkable recovery, we would incline towards a suspension of more than one year. On this record, however, we conclude that the appropriate discipline is a six-month's suspension. That suspension is long enough, we believe, to remind the bar of its special obligation to file personal tax returns and to act ethically with respect to clients, yet not so long as to dissuade other alcoholic lawyers from seeking the help they need for their own good and that of their clients. We direct that respondent reimburse the Ethics Financial Committee for appropriate administrative costs, including the costs of transcripts. For suspension Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices CLIFFORD, HANDLER, POLLOCK, O'HERN, GARIBALDI, and STEIN 7. Opposed None. It is ORDERED that PETER WILLIS of JERSEY CITY, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1970, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months effective February 1, 1989, and until the further order of this Court; and it is further ORDERED that PETER WILLIS reimburse the Ethics Financial Committee for appropriate administrative costs; and it is further *51 ORDERED that PETER WILLIS be restrained and enjoined from practicing law during the period of his suspension; and it is further ORDERED that PETER WILLIS comply with Administrative Guideline Number 23 of the Office of Attorney Ethics dealing with suspended, disbarred or resigned attorneys.