Title: The Florida Bar v. Hoffer

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

383 So. 2d 639 (1980)
THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant,
v.
Ronald J. HOFFER, Respondent.
No. 57288.

Supreme Court of Florida.
May 1, 1980.
Donald A. Smith, Jr., Asst. Staff Counsel, Tampa, and A.P. Gibbs, Bar Counsel, Dade City, for complainant.
Robert F. Moeller of the Law Offices of Ronald J. Hoffer, Zephyrhills, and Joseph C. Jacobs of Ervin, Varn, Jacobs, Odom & Kitchen, Tallahassee, for respondent.
PER CURIAM.
This disciplinary action is before us on complaint of The Florida Bar, report of the referee, and petition of Hoffer to review the referee's recommendations.
The referee made extensive findings of fact from which we quote in part:
The referee recommends Hoffer be found guilty of violating certain Florida Bar Code of Professional Responsibility disciplinary rules[1] and that he be suspended from the *642 practice of law for three years and thereafter until he proves rehabilitation and demonstrates that he understands Florida's Code of Ethics.
Hoffer challenges the referee's findings of fact as not being supported by clear and convincing evidence. Our responsibility in a disciplinary proceeding is to review the referee's report and, if his recommendation of guilt is supported by the record, to impose an appropriate penalty. The Florida Bar v. Hirsch, 359 So. 2d 856 (Fla. 1978). The referee, as our fact finder, properly resolves conflicts in the evidence. See The Florida Bar v. Rose, 187 So. 2d 329 (Fla. 1966). We have reviewed the record and the report of the referee, and we find that the referee's findings of fact and recommendations of guilt are supported by clear and convincing evidence.
We disagree, however, with the referee's recommendation that Hoffer be suspended for three years. The discipline assessed against an attorney not only should protect the public interest but also should be fair to the attorney. The Florida Bar v. Thomson, 271 So. 2d 758 (Fla. 1972). Under the peculiar facts of this case, we conclude that a two-year suspension is appropriate.
Accordingly, we approve the referee's recommendation of guilt and suspend Hoffer from the practice of law for two years and until such time as he proves rehabilitation and demonstrates that he understands Florida's Code of Ethics. The suspension shall be effective June 2, 1980, thereby giving Hoffer time to close out his practice and take the necessary steps to protect his clients, and it is ordered that Hoffer shall not accept any new business. Costs of $1,180.29 are taxed against Hoffer.
It is so ordered.
ENGLAND, C.J., and ADKINS, BOYD, OVERTON, SUNDBERG, ALDERMAN and McDONALD, JJ., concur.
[1]  DR 1-102. Misconduct

(A) A lawyer shall not:
.....
(4) Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
(5) Engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
.....
DR 6-101. Failing to Act Competently
(A) A lawyer shall not:
.....
(2) Handle a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances.
.....
DR 7-102. Representing a Client Within the Bounds of the Law
(A) In his representation of a client, a lawyer shall not:
.....
(2) Knowingly advance a claim or defense that is unwarranted under existing law, except that he may advance such claim or defense if it can be supported by good faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.
(3) Conceal or knowingly fail to disclose that which he is required by law to reveal.
(4) Knowingly use perjured testimony or false evidence.
(5) Knowingly make a false statement of law or fact.
(6) Participate in the creation or preservation of evidence when he knows or it is obvious that the evidence is false.