Case Title: Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming State Bar v. Terri Virginia Smith, WSB #7-4685

Citation: 2021 WY 50

Docket Number: 

State: wyoming

Court: Wyoming Supreme Court

Date: 2021-04-07T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WYOMING

2021 WY 50

April Term, A.D. 2021
Aprit 7, 2021

BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL

RESPONSIBILITY, WYOMING

STATE BAR,

Petitioner,

¥ D-20-0006

TERRI VIRGINIA SMITH, WSB

47-4685,

Respondent.

ORDER OF DISBARMENT

(11. This matter came before the Court upon the Board of Professional Responsibility's
“Report and Recommendation for Disbarment,” filed herein March 23, 2021, pursuant to
Rule 12 of the Wyoming Rules of Disciplinary Procedure (stipulated discipline). The
Cour, after a carefil review of the Report and Recommendation and the file, finds thatthe
Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court,
and that Respondent Terri Virginia Smith should be disbarred. It is, therefore,

 

[12] ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that the Board of Professional Responsibility's
“Report and Recommendation for Disbarment,” which is attached hereto and incorporated.
herein, shall be, and the same hereby is, approved, confirmed, and adopted by this Court
and itis further

{{3] ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that, as a result of the conduct set forth in the
“Report and Recommendation for Disbarment,” Respondent Terri Virginia Smith shall be,
and hereby is, disbarred, effective May 24, 2019; and itis further

 

1.4] ORDERED that Respondent shall comply with the requirements of the Wyoming
Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, particularly the requirements found in Rule 21 of those
rules, That rule governs the duties of disbarred and suspended attorneys; and itis further
[45] ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 25 of the Wyoming Rules of Disciplinary
Procedure, Respondent shall pay the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $50.00, which
represents the costs incurred in handling this matter, a well as pay administrative fees of
‘$750.00. Respondent shall pay the total amount of $800.00 to the Wyoming State Bar on
or before June 30, 2021. If Respondent fails to make payment in the time allotted,
‘execution may issue on the award; and it is further

[16] ORDERED that the Wyoming State Bar may issue the stipulated press release
Contained in the “Report and Recommendation for Disbarment”; and it is further

 

[£7] ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall docket this Order of Disbarment,
along with the incorporated “Report and Recommendation for Disbarment,” as a matter
‘coming regularly before this Court as a public record; and itis further

[48] ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 9(b) of the Wyoming Rules of Disciplinary
Procedure, this Order’ of Disbarment, along with the incorporated “Report and
Recommendation for Disbarment,” shall be published in the Wyoming Reporter and the
Pacific Reporter and itis further

(49] ORDERED that the Clerk ofthis Court cause a copy of this Order of Disbarment
tobe served upon Respondent Terri Virginia Smith,

[410] DATED

 

is 7 day of April, 2021
BY THE COURT:
by

MICHAEL K. DAVIS
Chief Justice
BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT

STATE OF WYOMING D-20 -00 06

Inthe matter of )
TERRI VIRGINIA SMITH ) IN THE SUPREME.
WSB 97-4685, BPR Ne. 2020081 Sime Ge WONG
d
‘Respondent, ) MAR 23 2021

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOR DISBARMEN'
‘THIS MATTER came before « Review Panel of the Board of Professional Respon:

 

via telephone conference call on the 9" day of March, 2021, for consideration of the parties’
‘Stipulation for Disbarment pursuant to Rules 9 and 12 of the Wyoming Rules of Disciplinary
Procedure, Present onthe call were Review Panel members Jefirey A. Donnell (Chair), John A.
Masterson and Jenine Thompson. Mark W. Gifford, Bar Counsel, appeared on behalf of the
‘Wyoming State Bar. Respondent Teri Virginia Smith appeared with her counsel, Colin M.
‘Simpson. The Review Panel having reviewed the Stipulation, the supporting AMfidavit and being
fully advised inthe premises, finds, concludes and recommends:

 

1, Respondent Terri Virginia Smith was born in Riverton and raised on the Wind
River Indian Reservation and in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a member of the Northern Arapaho
‘Tribe, Respondent obtained her Bachelor of Science (Economies) and Juris Doctorate degrees at
the University of Utah. At the time of her indictment described below, Respondent was serving
as chief judge of the Wind River Tribal Court. Following the indictment, Respondent resigned
the position,

2. Inn essay she submitted with her 2007 application for admission to the S.J.
Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, Respondent wrote:

 
‘The desire to help my family, my tribe and the Indian community motivates me
‘and inspires me to pursue a law degree. Ihave leamed over the years that there

are many ways that I can help my people and make a contribution to the Indian

‘community. It can be as simple as volunteering my time tothe local Indian cen-

‘er, representing my tribe in all I do, planning a cultural event, or being present at
tribal ceremonies,

| think as an Indian person it is my duty to better our people because if we don't,
who will? I feel a law degree will give me the tools I need to make a difference.
{t-will enable me to help Indian people whether it is by giving them advice,
fighting for their rights or helping my own tribe in ther legal matters. [also feel
there isa great need for more Indian lawyers and judges in general.

{know that law school isnot going to be easy and that I will encounter many ob-
sacle, But, I feel that I have overcome many struggles in my life to get this far.
‘Lam the first in my entie family to get a Bachelor's degree. Through my hard
work and perseverance, I was able to obtain a competitive full ride scholarship to
iy college. have worked hard to maintain good standing and will continue to
do s0 in whatever I do.

3. Following graduation from law school, Respondent sat for the February 2011 bar

 

‘exam in Wyoming and was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar in 2011. She accepted a posi
‘tion with the law firm of Baldwin, Crocker & Rudd, P.C. in Lander and remained with that firm
until 2017, when Respondent took a position with the Wind River Tribal Court. Respondent and
her partner have two children, a son born in 2014 and another son born in May 2019.

4. On January 17, 2020, Respondent's license to practice was suspended for non
payment of license fees per order of the Wyoming Supreme Court. Respondent has no prior dis-
ciplinary history.

‘Respondent's personal history
Respondent was raised in a dysfunctional family. Her entire family is afflicted

 

with addiction issues. Mother, father, stepfather, brothers and sisters all had substance abuse is-
‘sues. Aunts, uncles and cousins all had either substance abuse or gambling addictions. Respond-
‘nt’s definition of “helping family” often meant helping them find drugs and eleobol.

 

ing on
the reservation, Respondent witnessed a lot of fighting, drinking, drug abuse and people strug-
sting to make a living. However, to her, this was normal. Her family relationships crested @
symbiosis in drug-seeking behavior. It is perhaps incongruous that in spite of such an environ-
‘ment and her own addictive struggles, Respondent was able to obtain not only a college degree
‘but complete a graduate law school program and have a successful career as an attomey, alt=

‘hough in the end she could not fully escape her formative environment. For many years, Re-

spondent excelled in te face of extraordinary odds.

6 Respondents use of opate-based pills began inher first semester of law school.
{niially she used the drug on the weekends; however, she inereased to daly use after moving back‘ the
‘Wind River Indian Reservation in 2010. At this point she "would take whatever I could get," and
‘was offen using oxycodone and hytirocodone. In August or September of 2013, she stopped using after
her partner learned of her addiction. She maintained sobriety through her fist pregnancy but re-
lapsed four to five months after her son's birth (approximately January 2015). At the time of her
2019 ares, Respondent was using oxycodone daily and was hiding her addiction ffom her parr,

7. Respondent was cooperative when she was fist interviewed by an FBI Speci Agent on
March 12, 2019. The agent told Respondent that she and her twin sister, Jerri Smith, were under
{vestigation for distributing and selling prescription pills. Respondent acknowledged that they
‘were so engaged, that she knew that they were going to get caught and admitted she also used
Prescription opiates (Oxycodone and Suboxone). Respondent also admitted knowing that Jerri
‘Smith, in addition to getting Oxycodone in Utah, was also getting meth and cocaine there and
Aistributing it on the reservation. Respondent told the agent that while she provides pills to oth-
15, she is not making money from doing so. Respondent admitted she also helped Jers Smith
With distributing Oxycodone to Latonia Killsontop and helped her pick up money from the sale
‘ofthe pills and deposited the money into Jeri Smith's bank account. Respondent was coopers-
tive with the agent inthe initial as well as follow-up interviews and provided substantial addi-
tional information which led to the arrests and successful prosecutions of others,
‘Respondent's federal court indictment

8% On March 21, 2019, Respondent was the subject of an indictment in the United
‘States District Court forthe District of Wyoming, Docket No. 1:19-cr-00050-ABI. At the time
of the indictment, Respondent was serving as chief judge ofthe Wind River Tribal Court. Fol-
lowing the indictment, Respondent resigned the postion.

9. The indictment alleged that on or about April 28, 2018, Respondent used a
“communication facility” (.e., sent text messages on her cell phone) in furtherance of a con-
‘piracy to unlawfully distribute Oxycodone. A second count alleged that on or about June 26,
2018, Respondent engaged in the unlawful distribution of cocaine. Both are felonies under the
{federal Controlled Substances Act, Respondent pled not gulty to both counts.

10. Respondent was arraigned in federal court in early March 2019. Respondent en-
‘gaged in a comprehensive proffer interview withthe United States on September 4, 2019. Four

 

individuals were charged in state district court in Wyoming and all have been oe will be sen-
tenced for charges made resulting from Respondent's proffer.

11, On May 21, 2019, Respondent submitted her letter of resignation as chief judge
‘of the Wind River Tribal Court to be effective May 24, 2019. Respondent has not engaged in
the practice of law since May 24, 2019.

12, On May 24, 2019, a superseding indictment was filed. Count One of the super-
‘seding indictment alleged that from November 2017, through and including November 2018,
Respondent and two other individuals conspired to distribute Oxycodone. Count Two and
‘Count Three ofthe superseding indictment mirrored Count One end Count Two of the original
indictment.
13, On August 6, 2019, Respondent entered pleas of guilty to two counts of the su-
Perseding indictment: Count One (conspiracy to unlawfully distribute Oxycodone) and Count
‘Taree (unlawful distribution of Cocaine). Both are felonies under the federal Controlled Sub-
stances Act.

14, Atte change of plea hearing, Respondent admitted as to Count One that be-

‘tween November 2017 and November 2018, her twin sister, Jerri Smith, was obtaining Oxyco-

 

Aone pills from a source of supply in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jeri Smith would trvel to Wyo-
‘ming with te pills and sell them to someone who redistributed them on the reservation. Re-
spondent knew the identity ofthe source of supply and knew her sister was providing the pills
{o Latonia Killsontop for distribution. Respondent testified that she assisted in getting the mon-
«y derived from the sale ofthe pills deposited into Jerri Smith’s bank account.

15, sto Count Three, Respondent admitted that on June 26,2018, on the Wind
River Indian Reservation, Respondent obtained two grams of cocaine from Jerr Smith. Re-
spondent then delivered and sold the cocaine to another and used the proceeds to purchase Ox-
_yeodone pills for personal use.

16. On September 4,2019, Respondent engaged in a comprehensive proffer interview
‘withthe United States. The primary focus ofthat proffer, Latonia Killsontop, was indicted on
‘federal charges on September 26,2019, Ms, Kllsontop pled guilty before US. District Judge
‘Nancy D, Freudenthal on September 14, 2020. Terri Smith's cooperation was critical to securing
‘Ms. Killsontop's conviction. Also, Respondent's proffer resulted in charges and arrests in
Fremont County, Wyoming, against Nikita Ann Addison, Johnny Junior Trujillo, Cynthia Mur-
ray and Maria Smith,

17, Accounts of Respondent's proffer were publicized in the Riverton Ranger on Jan-
‘ary 16,2020; the Gillette News Record on January 20, 2020; the Rock Springs Rocket Miner on
January 20,2020; the Torrington Telegram on Janvary 20, 2020; and the Wyoming Tribune Ea-
‘leon January 21, 2020, To date, no one has explained how confidential information from Re-

‘spondent's proffer found its way into published newspapers. Respondent recognizes that there is
‘no way she can possibly avoid being labeled snitch inher community and while in federal cus-
tody. Moreover, the Wind River Indian Reservation isa relatively small

‘The many persons who face charges or have been convicted as result of Respondent's coopera~

 

ind insular community.

tion and assistance tothe government have friends and familis all over the Reservation. Fami-
lies are interrelated. Loyalties run deep. The parties agree that Respondent's cooperation with
prosecutors inthe face of such a threat merits consideration as a mitigating factor inthis dscipi-
nary proceeding as it dd inher criminal sentencing.

18 On October 11, 2019, a Revised Pre Sentence Investigation Report prepared by
Jessica C. Hood, United States Probation Officer, was filed with the Court, Th report found that
“Theres no information to sugges that Smith used her positon of public trust to facilitate the

commis

 

ion or concealment of the offense.”

19, Respondent's sentencing was delayed for several months due to the COVID-19
pandemic, On October 6, 2020, Respondent was sentenced to prison for a period of six months
‘on both counts, with the prison terms to run concurrently, to be followed by six months of home
‘confinement, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Respondent was ordered to
‘pay $200.00 in special assessments ($100.00 for each count) and $500,00 for community resti-
‘ution. Count Two ofthe superseding indictment (use of a communication facility in furtherance
of a conspiracy to unlawfully distribute Oxycodone) was dismissed. It should be noted that Re-
‘spondent’s prison sentence represents a significant downward departure from the 10-16 months
‘of imprisonment applicable to her offenses under federal sentencing guidelines.
20. _Asevidenced by the transcript ofthe sentencing hearing (Exhibit A to Respond-
‘ent’ affidavit), U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson encouraged Respondent to overcome
hher addiction and return to a successful life:

‘Well, I will always remember the first time I met you. It was at - the Wyoming
Legislature was meeting. You were introduced as the new tribal judge to those of
‘us who attended that first session of the legislature, Traditionally, the judiciary
‘meets with legislators at that time.

| just felt such pride for you and the career that you had ahead of you and the
challenges as well of being so close tothe people that would be appearing before
‘you, and the pressures that would be placed on your shoulders in making judg-
‘ment on their issues. Recognizing that those were young shoulders that had to
have been bright shoulders to have been selected by your tribe to serve as chief
Jjudge ofthe tribal court.

‘And I certainly leamed here through the submissions of your attorney what an
amazing road you have traveled to have achieved that position, and so sad that
‘you were hiding a secret during that time, It must have a terrible teribly pain-
ful while you were on the bench. All of us ~ all of us have things that we wish we
hadn't done that are wrong in one way or another.

 

 

| was reminded lat night watching public television from Riverton, Wyoming,
of an interview with a man by the name of Bryan Stevenson who is a famous civ-
itrights attorney who handles death penalty cases primarily in the south. He re-
minded me of something that I knew but tend to forget with regard to the people
‘that stand infront of me. It isthe crime that we are punishing. I is that conduct
that is wrong. The individual has many good things about them, and certainly
you do. You are a remarkable woman in so many ways in what you have been
able to achieve despite what many people would call handicaps. [am sure you
didn’t think about them that way particularly. But you felt a sense of responsibil-
ity to your tribe and Native American people ~in general, people who are mar-
inalized, whose housing is red lined, who live on trust property that they cannot
‘mortgage to finance better housing, who are in a way trapped at every turn. So
the road is one that there is alt of correction that needs to occur. So we are deal-
ing here today with only part of the story ~of your story that is going to go ahead
‘many, many years, It isa story that can have success.

 

 

 

 

 

‘We can point to all of those circumstances that pile one on top of another. We
think about where we have ended up with you standing infront of me today. 1
still have great hopes for you and respect.

Sentencing transcript, pp. 6-9.
21. Respondent's counsel, Colin M. Simpson of Cody, who had maintained regular

Contact with Bar Counsel throughout Respondent's criminal case, promptly informed Bar Coun-
sel of Respondent's sentencing.

‘Commencement of disciplinary proceedings
22, The felonies of which Respondent has been convicted ae “serious crimes as
that term is defined in Rule 18(¢, W.R.Dise.P. Rule 18(¢), W.RDise-., provides:

‘Commencement of Disciplinary Proceedings Upon Notice of Conviction. Upon
receiving notice thet an attomey subject to these rules has been convicted of a
crime, other than a serious crime as hereinafter defined, Bar Counsel shall fol-
owing an investigation as provided in these rules, make a determination as pro-
vided by Rule 10(e) or refer the matter to the ROC for further proceedings con-
sistent with Rule 10(0). Ifthe conviction is fora serious crime as hereinafter de-
fined, Bar Counsel shall obtain the record of conviction and prepare and file a
formal charge against the respondent as provided in Rule 13. A certified copy of
the judgment of conviction of a serious crime as defined in this Rule shal be con-
<lusive evidence of the commission of that crime in a subsequent disciplinary
proceeding,

23. On October 14, 2020, Bar Counsel reported Respondent's federal court cor
tions to the Wyoming Supreme Court as required by Rule I

 

 

‘On the same day, Bar Counsel
filed a Formal Change in the above-captioned disciplinary proceeding.

24, On October 16, 2020, Respondent's counsel filed an Answer to the Formal
‘Charge, admiting all allegations. On the same day, Mr. Simpson fled a response to Bar Coun-
sel's Rule 18 Notice tothe Court, also admitting al allegations of the Rule 18 Notice. The par-
ties stipulated that Respondent should be allowed to cure her administrative suspension for non-
payment of license fe, obtain reinstatement, and attempt an expedited resolution of disciplinary
Proceedings. The Court deferred to the partes” request, entering the following Order dated No-

vember 5, 2020:

‘This Court notes that Bar Counsel and Respondent agree (Respondent) should not
'be immediately suspended from the practice of law. They inform the Court that
_ttomey discipline proceedings have begun, with « Formal Charge already filed.
‘The pleadings suggest that a stipulated resolution of the Formal Charge i likely.
Further, this Court notes that Respondent's license to practice law remains sus-
pended for non-payment of the annual license fee. Given the circumstances, the
‘Court concludes that Respondent should not be suspended, a a disciplinary mat-
ter at this time. Is, therefore,

ORDERED that Respondent's license to practice law should not be suspended as
‘disciplinary matter at this time. However, ifa stipulated resolution of the Formal
‘Charge has not been reached by January 4, 2021, this Court will impose suspen-
sion pending resolution of that charge. Respondent and/or Bar Counsel are free to
request an extension ofthat time period.

25. The parties attempted to reach a stipulated resolution of the Formal Charge by

January 4, 2021, but were unsuccessful. On January 13, 2021, the Court issued an Order of Im-

‘mediate Suspension of Respondent pursuant to Rule 18, W.R.Dise.

‘Respondent's treatment and recovery

26, Respondent was required as a condition of pretrial release to seek substance abuse

 

treatment, She obtained a substance abuse evaluation and was found in need of residential
treatment, Terri Smith began treatment at Southwest Counseling in Rock Springs on July 29,
2019, and was discharged on December 31, 2019, The discharge summary from Southwest
‘Counseling, whichis available tothe Board upon request, noted that Respondent had a difficult
‘time adjusting to the treatment setting initially, but ultimately proved to be a motivated client.
‘She was rated no higher than “Mild Risk” in all six of her risk categories upon discharge.

27. Since beginning treatment, Respondent has worked to wean herself completely
off suboxone, and she is down to two 2mg tablets per day. Respondent remained involved inthe
MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) Program at Southwest Counseling until her recent impris-
‘onment and continues with MAT in prison.

28. Following discharge from Southwest Counseling, Respondent enrolled in Level I
‘Aftercare treatment at Fremont Counseling in Riverton. She was attending class weekly prior to
the coronavinss outbreak, after which she continued with homework assignments at her residence
‘and participated online. Respondent successfully completed a 33-week series of classes in mid-
‘October 2020,

29. Since 2007, Respondent has often been under the influence of opiate, but, owing,
ater efforts at recovery, believes that her day of complete liberation is near at hand. Respond
ent has not only addressed her chemical addiction but is thoroughly and laboriously exploring
‘and correcting the thinking errors and characteristics that underlie her addiction, She is open to
correction and is applying what she has learned diligently.

Respondent's conditional admission

30, Pursuant to Rule 12, W.R.Dise.P., Respondent conditionally admits that her con-
uct set forth above violated Rule 8.4(b) (committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on @
lawyer's fitness to practice) of the Wyoming Rule of Professional Conduct and agrees to a dis
‘barment, provided thatthe disbarment be effective May 24, 2019 (the day Respondent resigned
her postion as chief judge of the Wind River Tribal Court and ceased the practice of law),

Demat

31. The-duty violated by Respondent. Within the analytical framework of the ABA
Standards, Respondent violated a duty owed to the public. Standard 5.1 sets forth the sanction
{guidelines for lawyers who demonstrate a fai

 

in personal integrity and is applicable
to situations in which lawyers have committed a violation of Rule 8.4(b) (committing a criminal
‘ac that reflects adversely on a lawyer's fitness to practice): Applying ABA Standard 5.1 to Re-
‘spondlent’s case, the presumptive sanction, before applying other factors set forth below, is dis-
bbarment.

32. Respondent's mental stat, Respondent acted with intent in the conduct that led to
her arrest and prosecution,

10
33. Inlur caused by Respondent's conduct, In Respondent's case the harm to the
‘Public associated with the unlawful distribution of narcotic drugs is serious.

34. Aggravating and mitigating factors, The aggravating factor in Respondent's case
{sillegal conduct. Mitigating factors are: (1) absence of prior disciplinary record; (2) fll and
fee disclosure to Bar Counsel anda cooperative attitude toward proceedings; (3) imposition of
‘other penalties or sanctions; and (4) chemical dependency during the conduct which led to Re-
‘spondent’s arrest and prosecution. Regarding the last factor, there is evidence that Respondent is
affected by a chemical dependency; the chemical dependency caused the misconduct; Respond:
‘ent's recovery from the chemical dependency or mental disability is demonstrated by a meaning-
fal and sustained period of successful rehabilitation; and the 'Tecovery arrested the misconduct
and recurrence of that misconduct is unlikely,

35. _ Ifthe Court issues an Order of Disbarment effective May 24, 2019, in accordance
‘herewith, the parties agree to the following press release:

‘The Wyoming Supreme Court issued an order disbarring Arapaho attorney

‘Terri V. Smith from the practice of law. The order of disbarment stemmed from a

2019 felony drug arrest which ended with Smith pleading guilty to two felonies

and being sentenced to six months in prison, o be followed by six months of

‘home confinement, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Smith

stipulated to the disbarment, which was presented to the Board of Profess

Responsibility (BPR). In approving the BPR's recommendation for an order of|

disbarment, the Wyoming Supreme Court ordered Smith to pay an administrative

{fee in the amount of $750.00 and costs of $50.00 to the ‘Wyoming State Bar.

‘Conclusions of law.

36. Rule 8.4(b), W.R-ProfCond, provides, “It is professional misconduct for a law=

 

Yyerto: *** (b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthi-
‘ness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; #*#”
37.

Rule 15(0}3)(D), W.R.Disc-., provides, “In imy

 

« sanction after a finding

‘of misconduct by the respondent, the BPR shll consider the following factors, es enumerated in
the ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions:*

‘Whether the lawyer has violated a duty owed to a client, to the public, to

the legal system, or to the profession;

2

3.

‘Whether the lawyer acted intentionally, knowingly, or negligently;
‘The amount of the actual or potential injury caused by the lawyer's mis-

conduct; and

4
38,

‘Absent aggravating or mitigating circumstances, upon appli

‘The existence of any aggravating or mitigating factors.
‘ABA Standard 5.1, “Failure to Maintain Personal Integrity.” provides:

 

ion of the factors set

‘out in Standard 3.0, the following sanctions are generally appropriate in cases involving a
criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as
4 lawyer in other respects, or in cases with conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or
‘misrepresentation:

sl

5.2

S13

s4

39.

‘mental state:

Disbarment is generally appropriate when:

(@) a lawyer engages in serious criminal conduct, a necessary element of
which includes intentional interference with the administration of justice, false
swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, extortion, misappropriation, or theft; or
the sale, distribution or importation of controlled substances; or the intentional
killing of another; or an attempt or conspiracy or solicitation of another to
‘commit any of these offenses; of

(b) __ lawyer engages in any other intentional conduct involving dishonesty,
‘fraud, deceit, or misrepreseniation that seriously adversely reflects onthe law
yer’s fitness to practice.

jon is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly engages in criminal

‘conduct which does not contain the elements listed in Standard 5.11 and that seri-

ously adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice.

Reprimand [ie., ‘public censure” under Rule 9(a)(3), W.R.Dise.P.] is generally

‘appropriate when a lawyer knowingly engages in any other conduct that involves.

dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and that adversely reflects on the

lawyer's fitness to practice law.

‘Admonition [i “private reprimand” under Rule 9(a)(4), W.R.Dise-P.] is gener-

ally appropriate when a lawyer engages in any other conduct that reflects adverse

ly on the lawyer's fitness to practice law.

 

 

 

 

‘The Preface to the ABA Standards includes the following discussion regarding

‘The mental states used in this model are defined as follows. The most culpable
‘mental state is that of intent, when the lawyer acts with the conscious objective or

2
‘Purpose to accomplish a particular result. The next most culpable mental state is
that of knowledge, when the lawyer acts with conscious awareness of the nature
or attendant circumstances of his or her conduct both without the conscious objec-
tive or purpose to accomplish a particular result. The least culpable mental state
is negligence, when a lawyer fails to be aware of a substantial risk that circum-
stances exist or that result wll follow, which failure is a deviation of a care that
‘ reasonable lawyer would exercise in the situation,

40. Under the ABA Standards, “injury” is defined as “harm toa clint, the public the
legal system, or the profession

 

 

results from a lawyer's misconduct. The level of injury can
‘ange from ‘serious’ injury to “litle or no" injury; a reference to ‘injury alone indicates any level
of injury greater than ‘itl or no" injury.” “Potential injury” is defined as “harm to a client, the
public, the legal system or the profession that is reasonably foreseeable at the time of the law-
yet's misconduct, and wich, but for some intervening factor or event, would probably have re-
‘sulted from the lawyer's misconduct”

41, ABA Standard 9.0, entitled “Aggravation and Mitigation,” provides as follows:

9.1 Generally
After misconduct has been established, aggravating and mitigating circumstances
‘may be considered in deciding what sanction to impose,

92 Aggravation

9.21 Definition. Aggravation or aggravating circumstances are any considerations or
factors that may justify an increase in the degree of discipline to be imposed.

9.22 Factors which may be considered in aggravation. Aggravating factors include:
(@) prior disciplinary offenses;
(b) dishonest or selfish motive;
(©) a pattem of misconduct;
(@) multiple offenses;
(©) bad faith obstruction of the disciplinary proceeding by intentionally failing to

‘comply with rules or orders ofthe disciplinary agency;
(0 submission of false evidence, false statements, or other deceptive practices
during the disciplinary process;

(g) refusal to acknowledge wrongful nature of conduct;
(th) vulnerability ofthe victim;
(@) substantial experience in the practice of law;
@) indifference in making restitution; and
(j) illegal conduct, including that involving the use of controlled substances.

93 Mitigation.

931 Definition. Mitigation or mitigating circumstances are any considerations or fac
‘ors that may justify a reduction inthe degree of discipline to be imposed.

 

 

13
9.32 Factors which may be considered in mitigaion. Mitigating factors include:
(@) absence ofa prior disciplinary record;
(©) absence of a dishonest or selfish motive;
() personal or emotional problems;
(@ timely good faith effort to make restitution or to rectify consequences of mis-

‘conduct;

(©) full and free disclosure of disciplinary board or cooperative attitude toward
proceedings;

(9 inexperience in the practice of law;

(@) character o reputation;

(1) physical disability,

(@ mental disability or chemical dependency including alcoholism or drug abuse

‘when:

(there is medical evidence thatthe respondent is affected by a chemical de-
pendency or mental disability;

(@) the chemical dependency or mental disability caused the misconduct;

(G) the respondent's recovery from the chemical dependency or mental disa-
bility is demonstrated by a meaningful and sustained period of successful
rehabilitation; and

(4) the recovery arrested the misconduct and recurrence of that misconduct is
unlikely.

() delay in disciplinary proceedings;
{(k) imposition of other penalties or sanctions;
() remorse; and
(m) remoteness of prior offenses.
94 Factors Which Are Neither Aggravating nor Mitigating.
‘The following factors should not be considered as either aggravating nor mitigat-

 

 

ie
() forced of compelled restitution;
(©) agreeing to the client's demand for certain improper behavior or result;
(©) withdrawal of complaint against the lawyer,
‘@) resignation prior to completion of disciplinary proceedings;
(©) complainant's recommendation as to sanction; and

lure if injured client to complain,

‘Recommendation

In consideration of the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, the Review

Panel recommends as follows:
1, ‘That Respondent be disbarred for violations of Rule &.4(b), W.R-Prof.Cond.
2. That, in consideration of the significant mitigating factors set forth above and the

 

long delay in Respondent's criminal sentencing, the effective date of the disbarment be May 24,
2019 (the day Respondent resigned her position as chief judge of the Wind River Tribal Court
‘and ceased the practice of law),

3. That, upon issuance of the order of disbarment, the foregoing press release may
be issued.

4. That Respondent be required to pay an administrative fee of $750.00 and costs of

$50.00 tothe Wyoming State Bar.
Dated this/2 Hay of March, 2021.
Donnel, Chair
ich Panel ofthe Board of Professional
Responsibility

Wyoming State Bar

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