Case Title: In re Timpone

Citation: 

Docket Number: 93178

State: illinois

Court: Illinois Supreme Court

Date: 2004-01-23T00:00:00Z

Document:
Docket No. 93178-Agenda 22-September 2002.
							In re LEONARD THOMAS TIMPONE, Attorney, Respondent.
Opinion filed January 23, 2004. 
	JUSTICE FREEMAN delivered the opinion of the court:
	Respondent, Leonard Thomas Timpone, was charged with
various violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules) (134
Ill. 2d R. 1.1 et seq.) in a three-count complaint filed by the
Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary
Commission (ARDC). The Hearing Board found that the
Administrator established that respondent: (1) entered into a business
transaction with a client without making proper disclosures; (2)
converted and commingled funds belonging to another client; and (3)
engaged in conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit or
misrepresentation. The Hearing Board recommended disbarment as a
sanction. The Review Board affirmed those findings and rejected
respondent's plea for a lesser sanction. The matter is now before this
court on respondent's exceptions to the findings and conclusions of
the Review Board.

I. BACKGROUND
	Respondent has been licensed to practice law since 1970. In
1993, we suspended him for three years. See In re Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d 178 (1993). The charges in the matter before us now are based on
transactions involving two clients, Richard Rzewnicki and Fulton
Purnell. We will discuss the facts relating to each client in turn.

A. The Rzewnicki Transactions
	In count I of the complaint the Administrator alleged that
respondent engaged in several ethical violations arising from a loan
transaction between respondent and Rzewnicki. Among other things,
the Administrator alleged that respondent: (1) engaged in conduct
involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation (134 Ill. 2d
R. 8.4(a)(4)); (2) entered into a business transaction with a client
without making proper disclosures where the lawyer and client have
conflicting interests and the client expects the lawyer to exercise his
professional judgment on the client's behalf (134 Ill. 2d R. 1.8); and
(3) engaged in conduct "which tends to defeat the administration of
justice or to bring the courts or the legal profession into disrepute" in
violation of Supreme Court Rule 771 (134 Ill. 2d R. 771).
	Respondent represented Rzewnicki in a dissolution of marriage
proceeding from 1980 through 1983 and assisted him in the sale of his
marital residence in 1987 and 1988. Respondent performed no further
legal work for Rzewnicki until 1992, when he defended Rzewnicki on
a DUI charge and a building code violation.
	Approximately two months after the sale of the marital residence,
Rzewnicki loaned respondent $35,000 from the proceeds of the sale.
The loan was never repaid, and in January 1999, Rzewnicki obtained
a default judgment against respondent. The judgment remains
unsatisfied.
	Rzewniki claimed that he loaned the money to respondent
because he trusted respondent as "his lawyer," and because he was
told he would receive a good return. However, in a pretrial
deposition, Rzewniki described the services respondent performed for
him in December of 1988 by testifying that he was an "ex-client" and
that "[he] had nothing binding at that time."
	Respondent argued before the Hearing Board that he and
Rzewnicki did not have an attorney-client relationship at the time in
question, and that the loan agreement arose out of their friendship
rather than the relation of attorney and client. Therefore, although a
debtor-creditor relationship existed with Rzewnicki, his receipt of the
loan did not violate any of the provisions of the Rules. The Hearing
Board disagreed.
	Relying on the reasoning in In re Imming, 131 Ill. 2d 239 (1989),
the Hearing Board found that respondent and Rzewnicki had an
attorney-client relationship at the time of the loan. The Hearing Board
also found that respondent violated his fiduciary duty to his client by,
among other things: (1) failing to advise Rzewnicki that there were
limits on the types of transactions an attorney could enter into with a
client; (2) failing to advise him to consult independent counsel before
making the loan; and (3) providing no collateral for the loan and
giving Rzewnicki no promissory note evidencing the loan or the
interest rate until five years after the transaction. The Review Board
noted that respondent did not challenge any of the factual findings of
the Hearing Board and affirmed all of those findings.

B. The Purnell Transactions
	Counts II and III of the Administrator's complaint involve
respondent's representation of Fulton Purnell and statements made to
the ARDC regarding that representation. In count II, the
Administrator alleged that respondent: (1) converted his client's
funds; (2) failed to hold his client's property separate from his own
(134 Ill. 2d R. 1.15(a)); and (3) failed to promptly deliver funds to a
client (134 Ill. 2d R. 1.15(b)). In count III, the Administrator alleged
that respondent: (1) made a statement of material fact known by the
lawyer to be false in connection with a lawyer disciplinary matter (134
Ill. 2d R. 8.1(a)(1)); and (2) induced another to engage in conduct
when the lawyer knows that the conduct will violate the Rules of
Professional Conduct (134 Ill. 2d R. 8.4(a)(4)). Regarding both
counts II and III, the Administrator alleged that respondent engaged
in conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation,
in violation of Rule 8.4(a)(4), and also engaged in conduct "which
tends to defeat the administration of justice or to bring the courts or
the legal profession into disrepute" in violation of Supreme Court
Rule 771. The Hearing Board's findings on these allegations are not
challenged by respondent.
	Fulton Purnell engaged respondent to represent him in a
proceeding to set aside a judgment-by-confession taken against him
by Leo Hickman. He was referred to respondent by a mutual friend,
John Jordan, who had been represented in the past by respondent.
	According to respondent, he expended considerable time and
effort in his attempt to set aside the Hickman judgment-by-confession.
In September, 1998, respondent received a check for $23,448.94
made out to Purnell in settlement of the Hickman case. This check
was deposited in respondent's client fees account on September 21,
1998. The check was endorsed, "Fulton Purnell Pay to Leonard
Timpone." The handwriting was identified by respondent's associate,
Gail Golub, as that of Gina Biers, respondent's secretary.
	Respondent did not have a trust account at the time he deposited
Purnell's check. He maintained a client fees account and an operating
account at the same bank and money would be transferred from the
fees account to the operating account as checks were written on the
operating account. Respondent's firm did not have a client trust
account until 1999.
	Respondent testified that he, Jordan, and Purnell had a three-way
telephone conversation in the early fall of 1998, at the time of a visit
by Purnell to Jordan's home. According to respondent, Purnell
authorized him to sign his name to the settlement check and deduct his
fee. This account was confirmed by Jordan, but denied by Purnell.
Purnell denied ever having a three-way telephone conversation with
respondent and Jordan and denied authorizing respondent to sign his
name to the check and deduct his fees.
	In September 1998, Purnell received a letter from respondent
enclosing a check for $10,742.19. The letter stated that he had
received $23,448.94 in the Hickman matter and had deducted the
balance of almost $12,000 in attorney fees.
	Before Purnell cashed the $10,742.19 check from respondent, the
balance in respondent's client fees account fell under $10,000 on at
least three occasions. Respondent denied using Purnell's funds for his
own purposes.
	In early November 1998, respondent received a letter from the
ARDC, requesting a response to allegations raised by Purnell as to the
handling of the Hickman settlement check. At respondent's direction,
Golub wrote to the Administrator's counsel on his behalf, stating, "As
for Mr. Purnell's settlement of funds, the entirety of the settlement
remains in our client trust account." On January 6, 1999, also at
respondent's direction, Golub again wrote to the Administrator's
counsel, advising, "As I stated in an earlier letter to your office,
however, the entirety of the [Hickman settlement] check remains in
our client fees account."
	Based on this testimony, the Hearing Board found that
respondent had converted Purnell's funds, as charged in the
complaint. The Board, citing In re Clayter, 78 Ill. 2d 276, 282 (1980),
noted that a conversion occurs any time an account holding funds on
behalf of a client drops below the sums due the client, even if the drop
in the balance happens inadvertently. The Hearing Board also found
Purnell's testimony that he never gave respondent authority to
negotiate the settlement check more credible than the version of
events given by respondent. The Board similarly found that
respondent failed to hold property of a client separate from his own
property in violation of Rule 1.15(a).
	The Hearing Board likewise found that respondent violated Rule
1.15(b) by failing to promptly deliver to Purnell funds that Purnell was
entitled to receive. The Board found that he was not entitled to deduct
those funds from the Hickman settlement proceeds without a fee
agreement, regardless of whether he was still owed fees for the
completed work. Without an agreement, respondent had engaged in
conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation and
conduct "which tends to defeat the administration of justice or bring
the courts or the legal profession into disrepute." 134 Ill. 2d R. 771.
The Hearing Board also noted that, although respondent was censured
in 1994 for failure to timely file a tax return, he had not yet filed a
return for 1998.
	As to count III, the Hearing Board found that the charged
conduct had been proved because the two letters in response to the
ARDC inquiry, prepared at the direction and with the approval of
respondent, contained false statements known by him to be false. He
did not have a client trust account, as stated in the first letter, and the
"entirety" of Purnell's settlement check did not remain in his account,
as stated in the second letter.
	Respondent did not challenge any of these findings and
conclusions in his exceptions to the Hearing Board's
recommendations. The findings were, accordingly, affirmed by the
Review Board. The Boards' findings as to the allegations in counts II
and III are likewise not challenged in this court.

C. Evidence in Aggravation and Mitigation
	The Hearing Board noted that respondent had been disciplined on
two prior occasions. This court suspended him for three years in 1993
for misconduct including conversion and commingling of client funds,
failing to maintain complete records of client funds, neglecting client
cases, hiding assets from the court, and misrepresenting a matter to
the ARDC. In re Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d 178 (1993). In 1994, he was
censured for failure to timely file tax returns for the years 1984
through 1988. In re Timpone, M.R. 9862 (March 30, 1994). Relying
on In re Levin, 101 Ill. 2d 535, 541-42 (1984), the Hearing Board
considered the similarities between respondent's prior and current
misconduct and the length of time between the prior and current acts.
	The Hearing Board also considered in aggravation the fact that
respondent never repaid the loan to Rzewnicki, despite the fact that
he earned significant income in the years between the loan in 1988 and
his suspension in 1993. Relying on In re Smith, 75 Ill. 2d 134, 142
(1979), the Hearing Board found respondent's lack of candor and
remorse to be an aggravating factor. The Board noted that throughout
the course of the disciplinary hearing, respondent justified and
minimized his actions rather than accepting responsibility for them.
	In mitigation, respondent testified that he engaged in community
service work and that he took cases for people who could not pay his
fees. He also stated that had "learned his lesson" from failing to
document his transactions with Purnell. Golub testified that at the time
of the disciplinary hearing, respondent's firm had one "official" pro
bono case and 10 to 20 "unofficial" pro bono cases where the firm
was working for reduced rates in order to provide low-income people
with representation in domestic relations cases. The Hearing Board
found this testimony to be essentially self-serving and insufficient to
warrant substantial consideration as evidence in mitigation. The
Hearing Board recommended disbarment.
	Before the Review Board, respondent challenged the disbarment
recommendation on the ground that the Hearing Board over-emphasized the prior discipline. The Review Board rejected that
argument, observing that the type of misconduct proved in this case
is serious and, in the absence of any aggravating or mitigating factors,
would likely warrant a sanction ranging from a lengthy suspension to
disbarment. The Review Board concluded that the timing of the
present misconduct, occurring on the heels of the prior suspension,
respondent's lack of candor or remorse, and his continued tax
violations despite prior discipline indicate that a lengthy suspension
would not induce respondent to rehabilitate himself. Therefore, the
Review Board affirmed the findings and conclusions of the Hearing
Board and recommended disbarment.
	Before this court, respondent argues that the Rzewnicki
transaction should not be considered because an attorney-client
relationship did not exist at the time of the loan. He also argues that
a lengthy suspension would be the appropriate sanction for the Purnell
transaction.

II. ANALYSIS
	The rules controlling our review of the reports and
recommendations of both the Hearing Board and the Review Board
are well established. The Administrator bears the burden of proving
the allegations contained within the complaint by clear and convincing
evidence. 137 Ill. 2d R. 758(b); 166 Ill. 2d R. 753(c)(6). Moreover,
the findings of fact made by the Hearing Board are to be treated
virtually the same as the findings of any initial trier of fact. In re
Parker, 149 Ill. 2d 222, 233 (1992). Deference is to be accorded to
the factual findings of the Hearing Board because the Hearing Board
is in a position to observe the witnesses' demeanor, judge their
credibility, and resolve conflicting testimony. In re Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 66 (1999). Accordingly, this court will generally not disturb the
Board's factual findings unless they are against the manifest weight of
the evidence. In re Ushijima, 119 Ill. 2d 51, 56-57 (1987). We are
not, however, bound by the disciplinary recommendations of either the
Hearing Board or the Review Board because those recommendations
are advisory and the ultimate responsibility for imposing discipline
rests with this court. In re Eckberg, 192 Ill. 2d 70, 85 (2000); In re
Howard, 188 Ill. 2d 423, 434 (1999).

A. Count I: Improper Business Transaction
	Respondent submits that the conclusion of the Hearing Board, as
affirmed by the Reviewing Board, i.e., that an attorney-client
relationship existed at the time of the loans, was against the manifest
weight of the evidence. Respondent notes that the Hearing Board
expressly stated that "no violation of attorney disciplinary rules would
be at issue here if respondent entered into a business transaction with
Rzewnicki based upon Rzewnicki's personal friendship with
respondent rather than the attorney-client relationship." Thus, if the
Hearing Board's determination that an attorney-client relationship
existed at the time of the loan transaction is against the manifest
weight of the evidence, the Rule violations alleged in count I of the
complaint were not proved. See In re Smith, 168 Ill. 2d 269, 283
(1995).
	The Administrator, citing Attorney Registration and Disciplinary
Commission Rule 302(f)(5), initially asserts that respondent's
argument concerning the existence of an attorney-client relationship
has been waived since it was not expressly argued before the Review
Board. Rule 302(f)(5) is similar to Supreme Court Rule 341(e)(7)
(177 Ill 2d R. 341(e)(7)), providing that the appellant's brief to the
Review Board must include a section entitled "Argument," containing
the contentions of the party and the reasons therefor, and warns that
points not argued are waived. In his brief before the Review Board,
respondent essentially contended that the Hearing Board had over-emphasized respondent's prior discipline and argued that a
suspension, rather than disbarment, would be the appropriate sanction.
According to the Administrator, respondent's brief contained no
specific argument that the Hearing Board erred in finding that an
attorney-client relationship existed between respondent and
Rzewnicki.
	Respondent's brief before the Review Board did, however,
contain the following contentions:
		"Thus we emphasize the following evidentiary facts, as
reported by the hearing Board:
			1. Though Leonard had represented Richard Rzewnicki
before and after his marital home was sold, he did not
represent him when the home was sold in late 1988.
			2. Leonard did not represent Rzewnicki in any pending
legal matter when Rzewnicki loaned him money, which
derived from the sale of the home."
	Respondent argued before the Review Board that Rzewnicki
described himself as an ex-client at the time the loan was made, and
pointed out that there was a gap of over four years between the time
respondent completed the post-decree work in 1988 and his
representation of Rzewnicki on the DUI and building code violation
cases in 1992-93. Thus, although not precisely characterized as a
point relied on for reversal, it is clear that respondent disputed the
Hearing Board's analysis and conclusion that the loan occurred during
the attorney-client relationship.
	It is well established that the rule of waiver is a limitation on
parties and not on reviewing courts. Welch v. Johnson, 147 Ill. 2d 40,
48 (1992). To reach a just result, this court may override
considerations of waiver and consider a point not raised below.
Welch, 147 Ill. 2d  at 48. Under the circumstances presented by the
record in this case, we decline to apply waiver and will consider
respondent's argument on its merits.
	 Turning to the merits of the argument, the Hearing Board found
that respondent was not performing any legal services for Rzewnicki
at the exact time the loan transaction took place. However, this court
has established that, while an attorney's relation to a client generally
ceases on completion and satisfaction of the matter the attorney was
employed to conduct, special circumstances or arrangements may
show a continuation of the relationship. Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 252.
The Hearing Board found that such special circumstances existed
here. The Review Board affirmed this finding.
	The special circumstances found by the Hearing Board in this
case were as follows: (1) Rzewnicki stated emphatically and without
hesitation that he considered respondent to be his lawyer, not his
friend; (2) the loan transaction took place, upon the request of
respondent, within weeks of respondent's completion of work on a
post-decree matter that generated the funds; and (3) Rzewnicki
testified that the funds loaned to respondent were generated by the
work respondent performed on his behalf.
	The Hearing Board found the relationship of Rzewnicki and
respondent to be analogous to the eight creditors and the attorney
disciplined in Imming. In that case, the respondent was disciplined for
breach of his fiduciary duties to eight investors who were, at the time
of the investments, either clients or former clients. Imming, 131 Ill. 2d 
at 253. The Imming court held that the Hearing Board could
reasonably have concluded that in the case of four of the investors, the
funds in question were the product of respondent's legal work that
was concluded so close in time to the legal services rendered as to
induce the client to believe that respondent's business transactions
were a continuation of the attorney-client relationship. Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 254. In the case of the other four investors, respondent was
performing legal services for them at the time of the loan or shortly
afterward. Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 253.
	While we believe that some differences exist between the facts of
the present case and the facts in Imming, we do not believe those
differences compel a conclusion opposite to that made by the Hearing
Board. We further acknowledge that Rzewnicki's sworn testimony
was at odds with his deposition. However, credibility determinations
rest with the Hearing Board. We cannot say that the findings made by
the Hearing Board were against the manifest weight of the evidence.
We therefore affirm the findings made by the Hearing Board with
respect to the Rzewenicki transactions.

B. Appropriate Sanction
	As previously noted, respondent does not challenge the boards'
factual findings as to the allegations in counts II and III. We therefore
turn to the issue of the appropriate discipline to be imposed in this
case. Supreme Court Rule 771 addresses the types of discipline
attorneys may be subjected to in Illinois. 134 Ill. 2d R. 771. The
sanctions range from the severest, disbarment, to the most lenient,
reprimand. See 134 Ill. 2d R. 771.
	Respondent argues that suspension, not disbarment, is the
appropriate sanction for his misconduct. Although we agree that
disbarment is not appropriate in this case, we disagree that a mere
suspension in justified under the facts.
	This court has described disbarment as "the utter destruction of
an attorney's professional life, his character and his livelihood and
therefore a court should use disbarment in moderation." In re
Yamaguchi, 118 Ill. 2d 417, 428-29 (1987).
	Initially, we note that this court has imposed a lesser sanction
than disbarment in cases involving transactions similar to those in the
case before us. In Imming, discussed earlier, a two-year suspension
was imposed for improper business transactions with clients. Imming,
131 Ill. 2d  at 261. Similarly, a two-year suspension was imposed for
similar misconduct in In re Rosin, 118 Ill. 2d 365 (1987). In In re
Joyce, 133 Ill. 2d 16, 32 (1989), we likewise imposed a two-year
suspension for commingling and conversion of client funds. In
respondent's earlier disciplinary matter, we imposed a three-year
suspension for similar misconduct involving six different clients.
Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d  at 200.
	The Review Board noted that the type of conduct at issue in this
case likely warrants a sanction ranging from a lengthy suspension to
disbarment. Of these cases cited by the Review Board in its written
decision, we find distinguishable those where disbarment was ordered.
In each of those cases, certain aggravation existed which is notably
absent in the case at bar. See In re Feldman, 89 Ill. 2d 7 (1982)
(ordering disbarment for intentional misconduct, including converting
a client's funds then wrongfully signing another client's name on
checks to cover up the first conversion); In re Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d 49
(1977) (ordering disbarment for breach of attorney-client relationship
to obtain loan from client which was never repaid in addition to
settling a case with the client's consent, and converting client funds).
	The Administrator argues that our holding in In re Blank, 145 Ill. 2d 534 (1991), strongly supports the boards' recommendations. In
that case, the respondent was found to have neglected three clients'
cases, engaged in dishonesty, and converted funds on two occasions
when he allowed his trust account balance to fall to zero while he was
supposed to be holding money for a medical provider. The Hearing
Board and the Review Board recommended a two-year suspension.
Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 537. This court imposed disbarment, citing the
gravity of the misconduct and respondent's recidivism. Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 554-55.
	We agree with the Administrator that respondent's recidivism is
a factor that cannot be ignored in this case. However, in In re
Howard, 188 Ill. 2d 423 (1999), we imposed a two-year suspension
on a lawyer who had been reprimanded for neglecting criminal cases,
who was later suspended for two additional years for misconduct
including conversion of client funds, and whose name had been
stricken from the roll of attorneys practicing before the Seventh
Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite his suspension, he continued to
practice law and submitted false information to an Alaskan court
where he applied for admission pro hac vice. Noting our holding in
Yamaguchi, the majority found disbarment unwarranted, in part
because corrupt motives and moral turpitude were not clearly shown.
Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 441-42.
	This court has held that in determining the quantum of discipline
the court will mete out, "the degree of punishment imposed in a
disciplinary proceeding is based upon an evaluation of the evidence,
the respondent's past record, his attitude at the disciplinary
proceeding, and the best interests of society." Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at
260. We have also repeatedly stressed that where corrupt motives and
moral turpitude are not clearly shown, the proper punishment is
suspension rather than disbarment. In re Chapman, 69 Ill. 2d 494, 501
(1978). Taking into account respondent's recidivism, we cannot say
that a "suspension for a specified period of time" (134 Ill. 2d R.
771(d)), however lengthy, as respondent suggests, is appropriate.
Respondent does not appear to have grasped the importance of his
ethical obligations, particularly when his friends are his clients. For
this reason, we believe that a "suspension for a specified period and
until further order of court" (emphasis added) (134 Ill. 2d R. 771(c))
serves the purpose of our disciplinary processes. We stress that, after
disbarment, this sanction is the most severe that we can impose on an
attorney. In our view, the "until further order of court" portion of the
discipline reflects our agreement with the Administrator that
respondent's recidivism warrants more than mere suspension.
	Finally, we feel compelled to address several points raised in
dissent. The dissent accuses us of failing to sanction the misconduct
at issue in this case consistently with the sanctions imposed in other
cases involving similar misconduct. The dissent also criticizes us for
failing to take into account respondent's recidivism. With respect to
the cases involving similar misconduct, the dissent states that we
distinguish two cases, In re Stillo and In re Feldman, whereas the
dissenting justices believe that no meaningful distinction exists
between those cases and the case at bar. With respect to Stillo, the
dissent states that it is "difficult to discern what aggravating factor
was present [there] that is 'notably absent' [here] except perhaps, for
Stillo's accepting a settlement offer without prior authorization from
his client." Slip op. at 17 (Garman, J., dissenting, joined by Thomas,
J.). Accepting a settlement offer without client consent is a serious
ethical lapse and would be further aggravation to the misconduct that
was charged here. We believe that the absence of such misconduct
here makes this case distinguishable from Stillo. With respect to
Feldman, the dissent fails to note that at least nine check forgeries
were also at issue there. Fortunately, the misconduct here, although
similar, does not rise to that level. We therefore respectfully disagree
that "there is no meaningful distinction to be made between Stillo,
Feldman, and the present case and the same
sanction-disbarment-should be imposed." Slip op. at 18 (Garman, J.,
dissenting, joined by Thomas, J.). Discipline cases must be judged on
their facts, and while the discipline imposed from case to case should
be consistent, we must take into account the factual differences that
do exist from case to case. In our view, the factual differences
between these two cases and the case at bar compel the conclusion
that the discipline imposed here need not be similar.
	As for the other cases involving similar misconduct, we note that
the suspension ordered in In re Rosin was for a two-year period. The
suspension ordered here, 42 months, is nearly twice as long in
duration. The same can be said for In re Joyce, where another two-year suspension was imposed. Clearly, standing alone, the misconduct
at issue here does not, in normal circumstances, warrant disbarment.
However, this case is not normal in that respondent has had
disciplinary action taken against him before, as the dissent correctly
notes. Our decision to add the "until further order of court" language
to the suspension belies the dissent's belief that we have failed to take
into account respondent's recidivism. We have considered the
recidivism and have decided to suspend respondent, not only for a
period of time nearly double in length that had been imposed in similar
cases, but also until further order of court.
	The dissent takes issue with our decision to suspend respondent
for a specified period of time and until further order of the court,
intimating that the sanction does not give "sufficient attention to our
responsibility to protect the public from respondent's habitual
misconduct or to protect the integrity of the profession." Slip op. at
15 (Garman, J., dissenting, joined by Thomas, J.). The dissent
suggests that its preferred sanction, disbarment, would accomplish
those goals.
	As noted earlier in this opinion, Supreme Court Rule 771 lists the
various forms of discipline that are at this court's disposal. A popular
misconception regarding disbarment in this state is that a disbarred
lawyer will never be allowed to practice law in Illinois again. This is
not true. Supreme Court Rule 767 provides that
			"[a]n attorney who has been disbarred *** or suspended
until further order of the court may file his verified petition
with the clerk of the court seeking to be reinstated to the roll
of attorneys admitted to practice law in this State." 134 Ill.
2d R. 767.
Thus, attorneys who are disbarred may seek reinstatement just as
those who are suspended until further order of court. In both cases,
the disciplined attorney must seek a court order before he or she will
be allowed to practice. In the case of a disbarred attorney, he or she
must wait until five years after the date of disbarment before seeking
reinstatement. 166 Ill. 2d R. 767. In the case of the suspended
attorney, he or she may not seek reinstatement until the period of
suspension has passed. Critically, both forms of discipline share a
common characteristic, i.e., in order to practice again, the disciplined
attorney must first seek an order of this court to do so. 
	In light of the foregoing, it is difficult to accept the dissent's
position that the discipline we impose upon respondent somehow fails
to "protect the public from respondent's habitual misconduct or to
protect the integrity of the profession." The public is no more
protected under the type of discipline the dissent would impose upon
respondent than the sanction that we have chosen to impose today.
Likewise the integrity of the profession is no less protected under our
sanction. The only practical difference between the two forms of
discipline is that under the dissent's position, respondent would be
ineligible to seek reinstatement for approximately one year longer than
under our's. Given the fact that respondent will not practice until this
court allows him to do so, this difference is, in our view, negligible. As
the dissent itself acknowledges, "our goal [in such cases] is not to
punish the attorney." Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 434. We have previously
noted that disbarment is a form of discipline that should be used in
moderation. The sanction we impose today reflects our recognition of
that fact while remaining faithful to the goals of attorney discipline
that this court has developed over the years.

III. CONCLUSION
	Respondent Leonard Thomas Timpone is suspended from the
practice of law for 42 months and until the further order of this court,
effective March 26, 2001, the date of his interim suspension pursuant
to Supreme Court Rule 774.
Respondent suspended.



	JUSTICE GARMAN, dissenting:
	I agree with the majority that, given the deference that must be
afforded to the Hearing Board as the finder of fact (In re Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 66 (1999)), and our prior case law regarding similar
misconduct (In re Imming, 131 Ill. 2d 239 (1989)), the findings of the
Hearing Board must be affirmed.
	I disagree, however, with the majority's decision to reject the
recommendations of the Hearing Board, the Review Board, and the
Administrator that respondent be disbarred. These recommendations
are, of course, purely advisory. This court has the ultimate
responsibility for imposing attorney discipline. In re Chandler, 161 Ill. 2d 459, 472-73 (1994). In doing so, we strive to achieve predictability
and fairness by imposing sanctions consistent with those imposed for
similar misconduct. In re Howard, 188 Ill. 2d 423, 440 (1999).
Nevertheless, we approach each case with the understanding that "our
goal is not to punish the attorney but rather to protect the public from
incompetent or unscrupulous attorneys, to maintain the integrity of the
profession, and to protect the administration of justice from
reproach." Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 434. In my opinion, the majority has
not given sufficient attention to our responsibility to protect the public
from respondent's habitual misconduct or to protect the integrity of
the profession.
	Although the majority cites cases in which similar misconduct has
not resulted in disbarment (slip op. at 10), and cases in which repeat
offenders have not been disbarred (slip op. at 11), I do not find these
cases persuasive because this respondent has been disciplined on not
just one but two prior occasions. He was suspended for three years in
1993 for conversion and commingling of client funds, failing to
maintain complete records of client funds, neglecting cases, hiding
assets from the court, and making misrepresentations to the ARDC.
He was censured in 1994 for failure to file tax returns for five
consecutive years. Slip op. at 5-6. The majority, however, does not
give great weight to respondent's prior misconduct as a factor in
aggravation. Rather, the majority would require proof of corrupt
motives or moral turpitude, rather than mere habitual misconduct,
before imposing the severe sanction of disbarment. Slip op. at 11.

Similar Misconduct
	The majority notes that in Imming a two-year suspension was
imposed when the attorney engaged in transactions similar to the loan
at issue in Count I. Slip op. at 10. The Hearing and Review Boards
recommended a two-year suspension for Imming, while the
Administrator recommended disbarment. Imming, unlike the
respondent in the present case, "had a previously unblemished record
for 26 years." Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 261. This court noted that the
"degree of punishment imposed in a disciplinary proceeding is based
upon an evaluation of the evidence, the respondent's past record, his
attitude at the disciplinary proceeding, and the best interests of
society." Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 260. Further, although "we endeavor
to achieve uniformity in imposing discipline, *** we also consider
each case on its own merits." Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 260. In the end,
this court concluded that a two-year suspension "would be sufficient
deterrence to impress upon respondent and others the absolute
necessity of full disclosure in business transactions with clients and the
impropriety of overreaching in the attorney-client relationship."
Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 261.
	The facts relevant to determining the proper sanction in the
present case are readily distinguishable from the facts in Imming.
Respondent does not have an unblemished record; he did not display
an attitude of cooperation or remorse at the disciplinary hearing; and
he has not been sufficiently deterred from misconduct by a prior three-year suspension.
	The majority also points to the two-year suspension imposed in
In re Rosin, 118 Ill. 2d 365 (1987), for misconduct similar to
respondent's. Slip op. at 10. In Rosin, the record was "replete with
both aggravating and mitigating circumstances" (Rosin, 118 Ill. 2d at
387), while in the present case, there are aggravating circumstances,
but no mitigating circumstances. In mitigation, Rosin received no
benefit from his conduct, he did not intentionally defraud his client,
and he had no prior history of disciplinary action. Respondent, in
contrast, did profit from his misconduct by securing and failing to
repay a loan and by retaining funds that should have been promptly
disbursed to a client. Further, he has twice been subjected to
professional discipline. In aggravation, the Administrator cited
uncharged conduct of Rosin's. Rosin, 118 Ill. 2d  at 388. In the present
case, respondent's failure to file recent tax returns, even after a
previous censure for the same conduct, is uncharged conduct that the
boards and the Administrator considered an aggravating circumstance.
	In re Joyce, 133 Ill. 2d 16 (1989), in which a two-year
suspension was imposed for commingling and conversion of client
funds (slip op. at 10), is likewise unpersuasive. In Joyce, although the
respondent attorney continued to deny any wrongdoing, he had been
practicing for almost 20 years with no disciplinary record.
	The majority distinguishes two cases cited by the Review Board
in its written decision on the basis that, in each case, "certain
aggravation existed which is notably absent" in the present case. Slip
op. at 11. In In re Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d 49, 51 (1977), this court ordered
disbarment of an attorney who borrowed money from a client and
failed to repay it. Later, after the client obtained other representation,
Stillo signed a promissory note for the amount borrowed, plus
interest. By the time of the disciplinary proceeding, he had paid his
obligation in full, including interest. Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d  at 52. Stillo also
settled a claim for another client without her knowledge. The
settlement check, "purporting to bear the endorsement" of the client,
was deposited in Stillo's bank account. Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d  at 52. In
addition, although Stillo was not charged with giving false testimony,
the Hearing Board concluded that he was not truthful in his testimony.
Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d  at 54.
	Stillo is, thus, virtually on all fours with the present case except
that Stillo, unlike respondent, did repay the improper loan. It is
difficult to discern what aggravating factor was present in Stillo that
is "notably absent" in the present case except, perhaps, for Stillo's
accepting a settlement offer without prior authorization from his
client. The client, however, did not object to the amount of the
settlement. She was wronged by Stillo's conversion of the proceeds.
This court concluded that conversion of client funds to one's own use
is "an act involving moral turpitude, and, in the absence of mitigating
circumstances, *** is a gross violation of the attorney's oath, calling
for the attorney's disbarment." Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d  at 54.
	Later, in In re Feldman, 89 Ill. 2d 7 (1982), this court ordered
disbarment of an attorney who converted client funds and then
compounded his wrongdoing by signing another client's name on
checks to obtain funds so that he could cover up the earlier
conversion. It is the intentional nature of his misconduct, as evidenced
by the attempted cover-up, that the majority apparently finds to be a
sufficient aggravating factor to justify disbarment. Slip op. at 11.
However, in Feldman, this court noted that "the offense of conversion
is sufficient to justify disbarment" and, further, disbarment has been
imposed "in situations involving similar or less flagrant misconduct"
than that committed by Feldman. Feldman, 89 Ill. 2d  at 11. In
addition, Feldman argued that a lesser sanction would be appropriate,
given that this was the first instance in which he had been charged
with professional misconduct. Feldman, 89 Ill. 2d  at 13. As this court
accurately observed, however, "the wrong committed does not
constitute an isolated incident. Rather, respondent has manifested a
pattern of behavior which clearly tends to bring the legal profession
into disrepute." Feldman, 89 Ill. 2d  at 13. Respondent in the present
case has also manifested a pattern of behavior that brings the
profession into disrepute.
	In my opinion, there is no meaningful distinction to be made
between Stillo, Feldman, and the present case and the same
sanction-disbarment-should be imposed.

Recidivism
	While the lack of prior discipline is often seen as a mitigating
factor (see Imming, 131 Ill. 2d 239; Joyce, 133 Ill. 2d 16; Rosin, 118
Ill. 2d 365), a history of prior discipline may be viewed as a factor in
aggravation (see Imming, 131 Ill. 2d  at 260 ("respondent's past
record" is relevant to determination of discipline to be meted out)).
With regard to this aggravating factor, the majority notes the
Administrator's reliance on In re Blank, 145 Ill. 2d 534 (1991), but
does not attempt to distinguish that case. Slip op. at 11. Instead, the
majority relies on Howard, 188 Ill. 2d 423. Slip op. at 11.
	In Blank, both the Hearing Board and the Review Board
recommended that the respondent be suspended for two years while
the respondent argued that a two-year suspension was excessive.
Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 554. This court, however, ordered him disbarred
because, unlike an attorney suspended for 18 months for similar
misconduct, Blank was a recidivist. Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 554, citing In
re Fox, 122 Ill. 2d 402 (1988). Attorney Blank had not been
previously suspended. In fact, his previous discipline consisted only of
a censure in 1984 for mishandling of a client's funds. Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 554. Factors supporting disbarment were his recidivism, the
gravity of his offenses, and the fact that Blank failed to recognize his
improper conduct and attempted to blame his problems on another.
Blank, 145 Ill. 2d  at 555. I agree with the Administrator that Blank
offers sound support for disbarment in the present case.
	In Howard, the Hearing Board recommended a two-year
suspension for an attorney who made a misrepresentation regarding
a past suspension in a petition to practice pro hac vice in another
state, neglected a criminal appeal, engaged in the practice of law while
under a prior suspension, and failed to promptly return unearned fees.
The Review Board adopted the Hearing Board's findings of fact, but
reduced the recommended suspension to a period of three months.
Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 425. The Administrator filed exceptions,
arguing that the misconduct proven in this case, coupled with
Howard's history of prior misconduct, demanded a sanction "far in
excess of the three months" recommended by the Review Board. This
court agreed. Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 440.
	Three dissenting justices advocated disbarment of Howard, but
the majority rejected disbarment, stating that "where corrupt motives
and moral turpitude are not clearly shown, the proper punishment is
suspension rather than disbarment." Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 441. With
regard to his recidivism, this court noted that the acts underlying the
earlier suspension occurred during the same period of time as the
neglect of the criminal appeal that formed a substantial part of the
current matter. Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 441-42. In addition, the
previous suspension was for five months so that a suspension for two
years, more than four times the duration of the earlier suspension,
would be "sufficiently meaningful" to have the desired effect. Howard,
188 Ill. 2d  at 442. Finally, there was substantial mitigation based on
Howard's "years of dedicated service to the community, to his church,
and to a segment of the population that is often overlooked." Howard,
188 Ill. 2d  at 442.
	Respondent in the present case did not demonstrate a substantial
degree of mitigation. As the majority notes, the Hearing Board found
his testimony regarding community service and pro bono
representation essentially self-serving and insufficient to warrant
substantial consideration. Slip op. at 6. He expressed no remorse and,
indeed, made false statements to the ARDC. In addition, the majority
is not imposing a suspension four times as long as the earlier
suspension. The 42-month suspension is a mere six months longer
than respondent's three-year suspension, the "until further order"
provision notwithstanding.
	The present case can also be distinguished from Howard on the
basis of the timing of the various offenses. The misconduct at issue in
count I of the present complaint occurred in 1988, prior to the earlier
disciplinary actions. Thus, it is conceivable, I suppose, that the
intervening disciplinary actions had such an effect on respondent that
he determined never to engage in such conduct again. The facts,
however, do not support such an optimistic view. Although
respondent solicited the loan from Rznewicki prior to either of his two
earlier disciplinary actions, he did not repay that loan even after his
suspension expired and he was again earning sufficient funds to repay
his debt. Rzewnicki obtained a default judgment against respondent in
January 1999 and, still, respondent made no effort whatsoever to
repay the loan. The misconduct at issue in count II of the complaint
occurred in 1998, as did the false statements made by respondent to
the ARDC, which are the subject of count III.
	Previous disciplinary actions had no apparent effect on
respondent. Indeed, the Hearing Board noted that he tended to justify
and minimize his actions, rather than accept responsibility for them.
Respondent, however, told the Board that he had "learned his lesson"
from his failure to document his transaction with Purnell. This
statement should be viewed with skepticism since respondent did not
learn his lesson regarding the maintenance of complete records even
after a previous suspension. In re Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d 178 (1993).
	I find the reasoning of the Review Board persuasive. The timing
of the misconduct at issue demonstrates that the earlier suspension
had no effect on respondent's conduct. This three-year suspension
ended in 1996 and he was again mishandling client funds as early as
1998. Similarly, although respondent was censured in 1994 for failure
to file a timely tax return, he had not filed his 1998 return by the time
of his hearing before the Hearing Board. His lack of candor and
remorse weigh in favor of a severe sanction. The Review Board, thus,
concluded that even a lengthy suspension would not alter respondent's
conduct.

Corrupt Motives or Moral Turpitude
	Even when respondent's repeated offenses are taken into
consideration, the majority is reluctant to disbar an attorney in the
absence of evidence of corrupt motives or moral turpitude. The cases
relied upon are Howard, 188 Ill. 2d  at 441 ("where corrupt motives
and moral turpitude are not clearly shown, the proper punishment is
suspension rather than disbarment"), and In re Chapman, 69 Ill. 2d 494, 501 (1978) (" 'Suspension is a proper punishment "where a
corrupt motive and moral turpitude are not clearly shown" ' "),
quoting In re Taylor, 66 Ill. 2d 567, 571 (1977), quoting In re Ahern,
23 Ill. 2d 69, 74 (1961).
	On the other hand, there are numerous cases in which this court
has equated conversion of client funds with corruption. See, e.g., In
re Himmel, 125 Ill. 2d 531, 543 (1988) ("It is clear that conversion of
client funds is, indeed, conduct involving moral turpitude") (citing In
re Levin, 118 Ill. 2d 77, 88 (1987), and Stillo, 68 Ill. 2d at 54).
	Although respondent's conduct is certainly less blameworthy than
that of an attorney who sets out to deliberately defraud his clients, it
is not the result of mere inadvertence, or a single instance of yielding
to temptation, or inexperience, or personal pressures related to family
matters or to health. He has demonstrated for more than a decade that
he cannot be trusted to conform his conduct to the Rules of
Professional Conduct. His recidivism is the evidence of corruption.

Conclusion
	Disbarment is a severe penalty that should be used only in cases
of serious misconduct. In re Yamaguchi, 118 Ill. 2d 417, 428-29
(1987) (declining to disbar attorney who aided another in the
unauthorized practice of law and imposing six-month suspension
recommended by Review Board where respondent had no history of
professional discipline, did not profit or attempt to profit from his
misconduct, and neither harmed nor intended to harm anyone).
Respondent's pattern of misconduct is serious, repeated, and
remorseless. It is this court's duty to protect the public from such
conduct. Respondent should be disbarred.

	JUSTICE THOMAS joins in this dissent.