Title: STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. SCHRAEDER

State: oklahoma

Issuer: Oklahoma Supreme Court

Document:

STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. SCHRAEDER  STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. SCHRAEDER 2011 OK 97 Case Number: SCBD-5803 Decided: 11/15/2011 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. FRED M. SCHRAEDER, Respondent. ORDER APPROVING RESIGNATION FROM OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION PENDING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS ¶1 On October 28, 2011, an affidavit was filed by Fred M. Schraeder ("Respondent") pursuant to rule 8.1 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings ("RGDP").1 In the affidavit Respondent requested that he be allowed to resign his membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association ("OBA") and relinquish his right to practice law. At the same time the OBA presented this Court with an application seeking an order approving Respondent's resignation pending further disciplinary proceedings. 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) The affidavit attests to entering a plea of guilty on October 25, 2011 to one count of conspiracy to commit a felony (21 O.S.2001 § 421) in State of Oklahoma v. Fred M. Schraeder, Tulsa County District Court Case No. CF-2009-5279. In connection with the negotiated plea, Respondent received a five year deferred sentence, subject to his payment of restitution equalling $36,056.00 and compliance with the terms of his probation. The plea was based on his conspiring with co-defendant William J. Anton.2 (4) Additionally, the affidavit admits to fifteen ongoing grievance investigations being conducted by the OBA. Included among these grievances were charges of misappropriating client funds; forging client signatures on settlement checks; failing to supervise employees who had misappropriated client funds and/or forged client signatures on settlement checks; permitting an employee to engage in the unauthorized practice of law; neglecting client matters; failing to communicate with clients; failing to provide competent representation; and refusing to cooperate during an OBA grievance investigation.3 The Respondent concedes that the allegations, if proven, would constitute violations of the RGDP and the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct ("ORPC").4 (5) Respondent has waived any and all right to contest the OBA allegations created by the October 25, 2011 guilty plea and the pending grievance investigations. (6) Respondent states that he has familiarized himself with RGDP Rule 9.1, and agreed to comply the requirements of Rule 9.1 within twenty (20) days following approval of his tendered resignation.5 (7) Respondent recognizes that he may be reinstated to the practice of law only 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. (8) Respondent's official roster address as shown from the affidavit and OBA records is Fred M. Schraeder, OBA # 7981, 4528 S. Sheridan, Suite 103, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115. (9) 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 the applicable statutory interest expended by the Client Security Fund. ¶2 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the voluntary resignation of Fred M. Schraeder, 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 Fred M. Schraeder 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; and submitting the required affidavits attesting to compliance with Rule 9.1, together with a list of all clients notified and a list of any court or administrative body which 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. Further, compliance with the restitution payments ordered pursuant to Respondent's plea agreement and deferred sentence shall also be a prerequisite met before any future reinstatement is authorized. ¶ 6 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that any costs associated with the OBA's investigation and this proceeding are waived by agreement of the OBA and Respondent. ¶ 7 DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE this 14 day of November, 2011. /S/CHIEF JUSTICE ALL JUSTICES CONCUR FOOT