Case Title: STATE EX REL. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. WILSON

Citation: 

Docket Number: SCBD-5828

State: oklahoma

Court: Oklahoma Supreme Court

Date: 2012-02-09T00:00:00Z

Document:
STATE EX REL. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. WILSON  STATE EX REL. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. WILSON 2012 OK 11 Case Number: SCBD-5828 Decided: 02/09/2012 THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PERMANENT LAW REPORTS. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL. STATE OF OKLAHOMA EX REL. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION, Complainant, v. DANE THOMAS WILSON, Respondent. ORDER APPROVING RESIGNATION FROM OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION PENDING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS ¶1 The State of Oklahoma, ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association ("OBA") has presented the Court with an application to approve the resignation of Dane Thomas Wilson ("Respondent"), from membership in the OBA. Respondent submits his resignation pending disciplinary proceedings and investigation into alleged misconduct as authorized by Rule 8.1 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings ("RGDP").1 On January 30, 2012, Respondent's affidavit was filed simultaneously with the OBA's application; Respondent requested that he be allowed to resign his membership in the OBA and relinquish his right to practice law. The application and accompanying affidavit reflect the following: (1) Respondent's affidavit indicates: (A) it was freely and voluntarily rendered; (B) it was not secured by subjecting Respondent to duress or coercion; and (C) Respondent was aware of the consequences associated with submission of his resignation. (2) Respondent acknowledged that his resignation must be approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Nevertheless, Respondent agreed to conduct himself as if the resignation was immediate, and he has surrendered his membership card to the OBA. (3) Respondent attested to having personal knowledge of several grievances received by the OBA. Respondent's affidavit expressed his understanding that the OBA had initiated investigations for the following grievances: (A) DC 10-226, alleging misappropriation of $162,000.00 from a trust account for which Respondent had been the acting trustee on behalf of Richard Kamitchis; (B) DC 11-224, alleging misappropriation of settlement proceeds totaling $130,000.00, derived from a personal injury settlement; and the additional failure to pay outstanding medical expenses associated with the bills, resulting in the placement of a hospital lien being asserted against his client, Ruby Frame; (C) DC 11-225, alleging misappropriation of settlement proceeds in the amount of $41,000.00 derived from a personal injury settlement; and the additional failure to pay outstanding medical expenses associated with the bills, resulting in the placement of a hospital lien being asserted against his client, Sharon Peeler; (D) DC 11-247, alleging misappropriation of settlement proceeds in the sum of $45,000.00 derived from a personal injury settlement; and the additional failure to pay outstanding medical expenses associated with the bills, resulting in the placement of a hospital lien being asserted against his client, Quandra Garrett; (E) DC 12-2, alleging misappropriation of settlement proceeds in the sum of $100,000.00 derived from a wrongful death settlement obtained on behalf of the Viravong family. (4) Respondent has waived any and all right to contest the OBA allegations created by the pending grievance investigations. (5) Respondent states that he has familiarized himself with RGDP Rule 9.1, and agreed to comply with the requirements therein within twenty (20) days following approval of his tendered resignation.2 (6) Respondent recognizes that he may only be reinstated to the practice of law after full compliance with the terms and procedures outlined by RGDP Rule 11. Respondent has also acknowledged that no application for reinstatement may be presented prior to five years from the effective date of this order approving his resignation. (7) Respondent's official roster address as shown from the affidavit and OBA records is Dane Thomas Wilson, OBA # 18314, 104 E. Eufala Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73069-6017. (8) As a result of his conduct, the Client Security Fund may receive claims from Respondent's former clients. Respondent has agreed to reimburse the OBA for any such claims, prior to filing an application for reinstatement, including the principal amounts and applicable statutory interest expended by the Client Security Fund. ¶2 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the voluntary resignation of Dane Thomas Wilson, pending disciplinary proceedings, should be approved and shall be effective upon the filing of this order in the Office of the Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. ¶ 3 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the name of Dane Thomas Wilson shall be stricken from the roll of attorneys. Because resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is tantamount to disbarment, the Respondent may not make application for reinstatement prior to the expiration of five years from the date of this order. ¶ 4 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that Respondent shall comply with RGDP Rule 9.1 by notifying each of his clients having pending legal business of the need to promptly retain new legal counsel; filing a formal withdrawal from all cases pending before any tribunal; submitting the required affidavits attesting to compliance with Rule 9.1, together with a list of all clients notified; and presenting this Court with a list of any court or administrative body where the attorney was admitted to practice. ¶ 5 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that repayment of any sums expended from the Client Security Fund for monies paid to former clients of Respondent shall be a condition satisfied prior to any future reinstatement. ¶ 6 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that any costs associated with the OBA's investigation and this proceeding have been waived. ¶ 7 DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE this 9th day of February, 2012. /S/CHIEF JUSTICE Taylor, C.J., Colbert, V.C.J., Kauger, Winchester, Edmondson, Reif, Combs, Gurich, JJ., concur; Watt (by separate writing), JJ., concur in part and dissent in part. 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