Title: Application of Leff

State: arizona

Issuer: Arizona Supreme Court

Document:

127 Ariz. 62 (1980) 618 P.2d 232 In the Matter of the Application of Marvin S. LEFF to be admitted as a Member of the State Bar of Arizona. No. SB-176. Supreme Court of Arizona, In Banc. September 24, 1980. Rehearing Denied October 28, 1980. Lewis & Roca by Walter Cheifetz, Phoenix, for petitioner. Donald Daughton and James P. Walsh, Phoenix, for respondent State Bar of Arizona. STRUCKMEYER, Chief Justice. This is an original application by Marvin Stuart Leff for admission to the State Bar of Arizona. Although Leff successfully completed the written examination, the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness did not find that Leff was of good moral character. A finding of good moral character is a prerequisite for admission to the practice of law in Arizona, as it is in every state in the United States. Application of Walker, 112 Ariz. 134, 539 P.2d 891 (1975). Leff thereafter filed in this Court a petition for review of the decision of the Committee on Character and Fitness. We conclude that Leff has such a serious defect in character as to preclude his admission to the State Bar of Arizona. The Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, in response to the petition *63 for review, filed its findings and decision with this Court. Such findings and decision, fully supported by the record, read: After examining the testimony upon which the Committee's recommendation was based, we particularly note two matters. First, that at a hearing on the 15th day of September, 1979, in response to this question from a member of the Committee: "Did you then consciously decide for those reasons you would not divulge this incident to the Committee on Character and Fitness?", the appellant answered, "Yes." Palpably, Leff intentionally withheld information from the Committee. Second, we note the testimony before the Committee of Leff concerning his failure to testify before the Grand Jury: He further testified: It is apparent that rather than test the asserted attorney-client relationship before the Grand Jury, applicant preferred to deceive the United States District Attorney, thereby impeding the investigation into the asserted criminal activities of his two friends. We conclude not only has Leff failed to establish his good moral character, but that it has affirmatively been shown that he does not have the requisite good moral character required for admission to the Arizona State Bar. The application of Marvin S. Leff for admission to the Arizona State Bar is ordered denied. HOLOHAN, V.C.J., and HAYS, CAMERON and GORDON, JJ., concur.