Case Title: State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Walz

Citation: 291 Neb. 566

Docket Number: S-12-275

State: nebraska

Court: Nebraska Supreme Court

Date: 2015-08-14T00:00:00Z

Document:
- 566 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 State of Nebraska ex rel. Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court, relator, v. Kristin Renee Walz, respondent. ___ N.W.2d ___ Filed August 14, 2015. No. S-12-275. 1. Disciplinary Proceedings: Appeal and Error. In attorney discipline and admission cases, the Nebraska Supreme Court reviews recommen­ dations de novo on the record, reaching a conclusion independent of the referee’s findings. 2. Disciplinary Proceedings. The basic issues in a disciplinary pro­ ceeding against an attorney are whether the Nebraska Supreme Court should impose discipline and, if so, the appropriate discipline under the circumstances. 3. ____. Under Neb. Ct. R. § 3-304, the Nebraska Supreme Court may impose one or more of the following disciplinary sanctions: (1) disbar­ ment; (2) suspension; (3) probation in lieu of or subsequent to suspen­ sion, on such terms as the court may designate; (4) censure and repri­ mand; or (5) temporary suspension. 4. ____. To determine whether and to what extent discipline should be imposed in a lawyer discipline proceeding, the Nebraska Supreme Court considers the following factors: (1) the nature of the offense, (2) the need for deterring others, (3) the maintenance and reputation of the bar as a whole, (4) the protection of the public, (5) the attitude of the respondent generally, and (6) the respondent’s present or future fitness to continue in the practice of law. 5. ____. When determining appropriate discipline, the Nebraska Supreme Court considers aggravating and mitigating factors. 6. ____. The propriety of a sanction in an attorney discipline case must be considered with reference to the sanctions imposed in prior simi­ lar cases. Original action. Judgment of disbarment. - 567 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 John W. Steele and Kent L. Frobish, Assistant Counsels for Discipline, for relator. John D. Rouse for respondent. Heavican, C.J., Wright, Connolly, Stephan, McCormack, Miller-Lerman, and Cassel, JJ. Per Curiam. INTRODUCTION The issue in this attorney discipline proceeding is what dis­ cipline should be imposed on Kristin Renee Walz (Respondent) for violating certain provisions of the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct. Respondent pled no contest and was convicted of a felony. Respondent admits that she was convicted of making terror­ istic threats, a Class IV felony, pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.01 (Reissue 2008). The referee recommended dis­ barment, and after our review, we conclude that disbarment is the proper sanction. BACKGROUND On September 3, 2010, Respondent was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Nebraska. At the time of the events set forth herein, Respondent was engaged in the private practice of law in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Respondent was initially charged with second degree domes­ tic assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony. She was accused of assaulting her husband with a knife. The State later amended the charges to first degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. Respondent has consistently denied causing her husband’s injuries and has maintained that she was asleep when the injuries occurred. At some point, Respondent’s husband admitted to police that Respondent had cut him with a knife. He later recanted and explained his statement was made while he was sleep deprived, under the influence of drugs, and under pressure by - 568 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 the police. He also stated that he made the statement to hide the fact that he had acquired drugs illegally and was under the belief that he could simply refuse to press charges. He stated that he was eating cake in bed and was under the influence of pain medication. He claimed he fell asleep, rolled over on the knife, and was injured as a result. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Respondent pled no contest to one count of making terroristic threats. She was convicted on March 9, 2012, and was sentenced to 1 to 3 years’ imprison­ ment with credit for 55 days served. She began her sentence July 3 and was released on parole in December. Her parole ended in July 2013. On April 4, 2012, the Committee on Inquiry of the First Judicial District filed an application with this court for tem­ porary suspension of Respondent’s license to practice law. We entered an order suspending Respondent until further order of the court. Respondent remains under suspension pursuant to that order. On October 31, 2012, formal charges were filed against Respondent based upon her felony conviction for making terroristic threats. The charges alleged that Respondent had violated the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct by com­ mitting a criminal act. Respondent’s answer to the formal charges denied she had violated her oath of office as an attorney or Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-508.4(a) and (b). A referee was appointed in January 2013, but due to a joint request to stay the proceedings while Respondent’s criminal appeal and postconviction relief were pending, the case did not resume until 2014. On April 30, 2014, a hearing on the formal charges was commenced. Respondent, her husband, and her treating clini­ cal psychologist, Dr. Caryll Palmer Wilson, testified. We granted the parties’ joint motion to continue the report of the referee pending final resolution of Respondent’s crimi­ nal charges and a motion to withdraw her plea. Respondent’s motion to withdraw her no contest plea was subsequently - 569 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 overruled. The court also found that postconviction relief was no longer available, because Respondent was no longer in cus­ tody and there was no allegation that she was on parole. On August 18, 2014, the referee filed a report, finding that Respondent’s conviction of a felony was a violation of her oath of office as an attorney and, specifically, a viola­ tion of § 3-508.4(a) and (b). The referee recommended that Respondent be disbarred. In mitigation, Respondent asserted that she did not com­ mit an act that harmed the public or her clients, she did not commit an act of dishonesty, she did not show herself to be untrustworthy, and she had diligently and capably represented her clients and their interests. She argued that she should be allowed to practice law in the future because the felony con­ viction did not render her unfit to practice law. ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Neither party has taken exception to the report or factual findings of the referee. Therefore, the only issue is the appro­ priate sanction under the circumstances. Respondent opposes the referee’s recommendation and the Counsel for Discipline’s request for disbarment. STANDARD OF REVIEW [1,2] In attorney discipline and admission cases, we review recommendations de novo on the record, reaching a conclu­ sion independent of the referee’s findings.1 The basic issues in a disciplinary proceeding against an attorney are whether the Nebraska Supreme Court should impose discipline and, if so, the appropriate discipline under the circumstances.2 1 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Smith, 287 Neb. 755, 844 N.W.2d 318 (2014). 2 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Cording, 285 Neb. 146, 825 N.W.2d 792 (2013). - 570 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 ANALYSIS [3] Under Neb. Ct. R. § 3-304, this court may impose one or more of the following disciplinary sanctions: “(1) Disbarment by the Court; or (2) Suspension by the Court; or (3) Probation by the Court in lieu of or subsequent to suspen­ sion, on such terms as the Court may designate; or (4) Censure and reprimand by the Court; or (5) Temporary suspension by the Court.” Section 3-508.4 provides that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to do either of the following: “(a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct[,] know­ ingly assist or induce another to do so[,] or do so through the acts of another [or] (b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness[,] or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.” Respondent strenuously denied committing the crime of making terroristic threats, and her husband, the purported victim of the crime, also insisted that she did not com­ mit a crime against him. He retracted all statements he had previously made to police and claimed that he originally made the statements while under the influence of drugs and sleep deprivation. Respondent stated she took a plea deal because she feared a prolonged trial and a conviction of a far more serious crime that could result in years of incarceration. She wanted to avoid a lengthy trial because she had a 17-year-old daughter and a seriously ill husband who relied on her for support, and she wanted to avoid the bad publicity a trial would generate because she is an attorney. She claimed to have exculpatory evidence and intended to continue her pursuit to exonerate herself of the crime. It is not uncommon for one who accepts a plea bargain to make similar claims after the fact. However, it is not our task in this case to determine the innocence or guilt of Respondent, but only the appropriate discipline to be imposed for the - 571 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 conviction. We are instructed by Neb. Ct. R. § 3-326(A), which states: For the purposes of Inquiry of a Complaint or Formal Charges filed as a result of a finding of guilt of a crime, a certified copy of a judgment of conviction consti­ tutes conclusive evidence that the attorney committed the crime, and the sole issue in any such Inquiry should be the nature and extent of the discipline to be imposed. The certified copy of Respondent’s judgment of convic­ tion is conclusive evidence that she was convicted of mak­ ing terroristic threats, in violation of § 28-311.01. Unless the conviction is vacated, Respondent remains a convicted felon. Therefore, the only issue before us is the discipline to be imposed. [4] To determine whether and to what extent discipline should be imposed in a lawyer discipline proceeding, we consider the following factors: (1) the nature of the offense, (2) the need for deterring others, (3) the maintenance and reputation of the bar as a whole, (4) the protection of the public, (5) the attitude of the respondent generally, and (6) the respond­ ent’s present or future fitness to continue in the practice of law.3 Each attorney discipline case must be evaluated individ­ ually in light of its particular facts and circumstances.4 The propriety of a sanction must be considered with reference to the sanctions imposed in prior similar cases.5 Nature of Offense and Deterrence Offenses involving violence, dishonesty, breach of trust, or serious interference with the administration of justice require 3 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Barnes, 275 Neb. 914, 750 N.W.2d 668 (2008). 4 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Pivovar, 288 Neb. 186, 846 N.W.2d 655 (2014). 5 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Beltzer, 284 Neb. 28, 815 N.W.2d 862 (2012). - 572 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 discipline.6 Respondent was not convicted of a crime that involved actual physical violence—such as assault, domestic assault, or battery—but, rather, a crime of threatening to com­ mit such violence.7 The referee found that the certified copy of Respondent’s judgment of conviction was conclusive evidence that she had been convicted of a felony crime of violence. The evidence was clear and convincing that Respondent violated § 3-508.4(b) by committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other aspects. Reputation of Bar This is our first case involving an attorney’s conviction for a crime of violence, and the sanction must be tailored to main­ tain public confidence in the bar community. Protection of Public Respondent’s psychologist, Wilson, testified that there was no evidence that Respondent has violent or aggressive tend­ encies. However, protection of the public is not merely con­ cern for a physical danger to the public. The goal of attorney discipline proceedings is not as much punishment as determi­ nation of whether it is in the public interest to allow an attor­ ney to keep practicing law.8 Therefore, an adequate sanction is necessary to maintain public confidence in the bar. Attitude of Respondent Respondent has remained fully cooperative with the Counsel for Discipline. Such cooperation is always credited to a respondent when we consider sanctions. However, unlike other cases where sanctioned attorneys have acknowledged their misconduct and expressed genuine remorse, Respondent 6 See § 3-508.4, comment 2. 7 See § 28-311.01. 8 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Sundvold, 287 Neb. 818, 844 N.W.2d 771 (2014). - 573 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 insists on her innocence. She intends to pursue ways to exonerate herself. But it is not our task in the instant case to review her conviction. Consequently, Respondent has not accepted responsibility for her actions. As an attorney, Respondent knew or should have known at the time she entered a plea of no contest that a felony conviction would result in severe sanctions. Fitness to Continue Practice of Law Respondent’s psychologist, Wilson, began seeing Respondent for therapy in 2008. Respondent needed assistance with learn­ ing how to cope with anxiety and other mental health issues. Respondent’s IQ falls in the highly superior range. Wilson stated that Respondent shows no signs of aggressive or vio­ lent tendencies, or any signs of marital problems or domes­ tic violence. The referee gave consideration to Wilson’s opinion that Respondent showed no aggressive tendencies in her clini­ cal observations. Wilson testified that Respondent will need counseling to resolve these issues and “get back on her feet.” Such counseling is needed before Respondent can manage her depression to a point where she would be fit to practice law. Wilson stated that given the circumstances, this would take at least 12 months. Wilson’s psychotherapy notes indicate that all the diagnoses regarding Respondent’s condition are neurologi­ cally based syndromes and that Respondent has acknowledged that she was not fit to practice law. At the time of the referee’s report, the evidence indicated that Respondent was not fit to practice law. Mitigating Factors [5] When determining appropriate discipline, the Nebraska Supreme Court considers aggravating and mitigating factors.9 We note that there are some mitigating factors. The referee 9 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Palik, 284 Neb. 353, 820 N.W.2d 862 (2012). - 574 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 found that Respondent has been fully cooperative with the Counsel for Discipline. The referee also noted several letters and affidavits from attorneys and former clients in support of Respondent, includ­ ing evidence of pro bono legal work that she did before being suspended. The referee stated that Respondent has exhibited extraordinary compassion and dedication in representing indi­ gent persons and persons of limited means. Prior to her conviction and suspension, Respondent was in good standing and had no prior complaints, misconduct, or criminal history. However, in contrast to prior discipline cases in which an attorney’s conduct was shown to be an iso­ lated incident in a lengthy and otherwise unblemished career, Respondent was in practice approximately 6 months before the misconduct occurred. She was admitted to practice on September 3, 2010, and the misconduct which resulted in her conviction occurred on February 12, 2011. Prior Cases [6] The propriety of a sanction must be considered with reference to the sanctions imposed in prior similar cases.10 There are few Nebraska cases of attorney discipline involv­ ing felony convictions, and none which involves a crime of violence. Some of our past attorney discipline cases have involved drug offenses,11 fraudulent activity,12 theft from clients,13 conspiracy or aiding and abetting in a felony,14 and 10 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Connor, 289 Neb. 660, 856 N.W.2d 570 (2014). 11 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Hubbard, 276 Neb. 741, 757 N.W.2d 375 (2008); State ex rel. NSBA v. Brown, 251 Neb. 815, 560 N.W.2d 123 (1997). 12 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Council, 289 Neb. 33, 853 N.W.2d 844 (2014). 13 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Tarvin, 279 Neb. 399, 777 N.W.2d 841 (2010). 14 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Wintroub, 277 Neb. 787, 765 N.W.2d 482 (2009). - 575 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 sexual ­ offenses.15 Although we have not stated a “bright line rule,” our case law involving discipline for felony convictions indicates that such a conviction reflects adversely upon a law­ yer’s fitness to practice law and that disbarment is considered to be the appropriate sanction. Respondent cites to the sanction we imposed in State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Mills,16 where we allowed an attorney, Stuart B. Mills, to be reinstated after serving a 2-year suspen­ sion for falsely notarizing documents and assisting a client in filing false tax returns based upon those documents. While on suspension, Mills was convicted in federal court of a felony involving the same false documents. We later reinstated Mills, despite the felony, because we had already sanctioned him for the conduct notwithstanding the felony conviction and, also, in light of the mitigating factors present in that case. We noted: It is clear from the record that Mills’ behavior sur­ rounding his handling of the [case] was an isolated incident in what has otherwise been an exemplary legal career. The record indicates that Mills is involved in his community and has countless letters of support from judges, lawyers, and laypersons. In addition, Mills has never been disciplined in the 30 years he has been autho­ rized to practice law in Nebraska. . . . Furthermore, Mills has admitted his wrongdoing and has admitted that he engaged in conduct which vio­ lates the Code of Professional Responsibility.17 Unlike the attorney in Mills, Respondent had not received a sanction for the conduct leading to her conviction. Nor does 15 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Lauby, 270 Neb. 405, 703 N.W.2d 132 (2005) (child sexual assault); State ex rel. NSBA v. Mellor, 252 Neb. 710, 565 N.W.2d 727 (1997) (child pornography). 16 State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Mills, 267 Neb. 57, 671 N.W.2d 765 (2003). 17 Id. at 71, 671 N.W.2d at 776. - 576 - Nebraska Advance Sheets 291 Nebraska Reports STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. WALZ Cite as 291 Neb. 566 the instant case involve the mitigating circumstances we found in Mills. Sanction Because this is the first attorney discipline case in Nebraska involving a felony conviction for a crime of violence, it is nec­ essary to convey the serious consequences that attach to such misconduct. Although no clients were harmed by Respondent’s misconduct, an attorney’s conviction of a felony for a crime of violence requires a severe sanction. It is clear that the stress caused by the inability to practice law has produced much anxiety for Respondent. However, this does not excuse the seriousness of her misconduct. Although Respondent may not be a danger to others, her felony convic­ tion for a crime of violence damages the reputation of the bar and threatens public confidence in the profession. There is a need for sanctions to deter crimes of violence by members of the bar. CONCLUSION It is the judgment of this court that Respondent should be and hereby is disbarred from the practice of law in Nebraska, effective immediately. Respondent shall comply with Neb. Ct. R. § 3-316 (rev. 2014), and upon failure to do so, she shall be subject to punishment for contempt of this court. Respondent is also directed to pay costs and expenses in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 7-114 and 7-115 (Reissue 2012) and Neb. Ct. R. §§ 3-310(P) (rev. 2014) and 3-323(B) of the discipli­ nary rules within 60 days after the order imposing costs and expenses, if any, is entered by the court. Judgment of disbarment.