No. 84860FILED 

JUL 01 202 

HIEF DEPUTY CLERK 

BY 

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA 

IN THE MATTER OF DISCIPLINE OF 

DOUGLAS C. CRAWFORD, BAR NO. 

181. 

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR TEMPORARY SUSPENSION AND 

RESTRICTION ON ACCESS TO CLIENT FUNDS 

This matter involves competing petitions regarding Nevadalicensed attorney Douglas Crawford. Bar counsel has filed a petition under 

SCR 102(4), asking this court to impose an immediate temporary 

suspension and enjoin Crawford from making withdrawals from accounts 

in which he is currently holding any client funds pending resolution of 

formal disciplinary proceedings against him. Crawford opposes that 

petition and alternatively petitions this court under SCR 117(3) to transfer 

him to disability inactive status pending a determination as to whether he 

is incapable of practicing law based on a disability due to mental or physical 

infirmity, illness, or addiction. Bar counsel opposes Crawford's petition. 

We first address Crawford's request under SCR 117(3). His 

petition does not satisfy the requirements of that rule. In particular, 

Crawford's petition does not argue, and his supporting mental health letters 

do not establish, that the alleged disability incapacitates him from 

defending against a disciplinary proceeding or investigation. See SCR 

117(3) ("If, during the course of a disciplinary proceeding or investigation, 

the attorney contends in a petition or joint petition filed with the supreme 

court that he or she is suffering from a disability due to mental or physical 

infirmity, illness, or addiction, which rnakes it impossible for the attorney to 

adequately defend the disciplinary proceeding, the supreme court shall 

enter an order transferring the attorney to disability inactive status . . . ." 

22- 7,eptv3 

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(emphases added)). We therefore deny Crawford's petition for transfer to 

disability inactive status. 

Turning to bar counsel's petition under SCR 102(4), we grant 

the petition. The petition and supporting documentation show that 

Crawford "appears to be posing a substantial threat of serious harm to the 

public." SCR 102(4)(b). In particular, he allegedly has engaged in conduct 

over an extended period of time that violates RPC 1.8(j) (sexual relations 

with a client), RPC 8.4(a) (violation or attempted violation of the RPC), and 

RPC 8.4(b) (criminal act that reflects adversely on fitness as a lawyer). 

Although Crawford argues that he currently does not pose a "substantial 

threat" of harm because he has voluntarily ceased practicing law, we 

disagree. Crawford's actions in that respect notwithstanding, they are 

voluntary. Absent action by this court, he could resume the practice of law 

at any time. The threat of harm to the public has not been abated. And the 

potential harm he poses to the public is "serious." In particular, some of the 

allegations involve sexual conduct toward clients in violation of RPC 1.8(j). 

The allegations and supporting documentation thus satisfy SCR 102(4)(b). 

We further conclude that Crawford's handling of client funds should be 

restricted. See SCR 102(4)(c) (providing that the court may place 

restrictions on an attorney's handling of funds entrusted to the attorney). 

Accordingly, attorney Douglas C. Crawford is temporarily 

suspended from the practice of law, pending the resolution of formal 

disciplinary proceedings against him. In addition, pursuant to SCR 

102(4)(c), we impose the following conditions on Crawford's handling of 

funds entrusted to him: Crawford is prohibited from making withdrawals 

from accounts in which he is currently holding any client funds, except upon 

written approval of bar counsel. 

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Parraguirre 

/ 

Hardesty 

C&K

Cadish 

Al;%-tie."4--)2

Stiglich 

J. J. 

J. 

Pickering 

The State Bar shall immediately serve Crawford with a copy of 

this order. Such service may be accomplished by personal service, certified 

mail, delivery to a person of suitable age at Crawford's place of employment 

or residence, or by publication. When served on either Crawford or a 

depository in which he maintains any accounts holding client funds, this 

order shall constitute an injunction against withdrawal of the proceeds 

except in accordance with the terms of this order. See SCR 102(4)(c). The 

parties shall comply with the provisions of SCR 115 and SCR 121.1. 

It is so ORDERED.1

Herndon 

cc: Bar Counsel, State Bar of Nevada 

Rob W. Bare 

Chair, Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board 

Executive Director, State Bar of Nevada 

Admissions Officer, United States Supreme Court 

1The Honorable Abbi Silver, Justice, voluntarily recused herself from 

participating in this matter. This is our final disposition of this matter. 

Any new proceedings shall be docketed under a new docket number. 

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