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Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets

304 Nebraska Reports

STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. HOFFMAN

Cite as 304 Neb. 323

State of Nebraska ex rel. Counsel for Discipline

of the Nebraska Supreme Court, relator, 

v. Craig A. Hoffman, respondent.

___ N.W.2d ___

Filed October 25, 2019. No. S-17-1123.

Original action. Judgment of disbarment.

Heavican, C.J., Miller-Lerman, Cassel, Stacy, Funke, 

Papik, and Freudenberg, JJ.

Per Curiam.

INTRODUCTION

This case is before the court on the voluntary surrender of 

license filed by respondent, Craig A. Hoffman, on September 

10, 2019. The court accepts respondent’s voluntary surrender 

of his license and enters a judgment of disbarment.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Respondent was admitted to the practice of law in the State 

of Nebraska on September 17, 2002. This court temporarily 

suspended him on May 17, 2018. There are presently five 

Class IIA felony charges of theft by deception ($5,000 or 

more) pending against respondent in Lancaster County Court. 

On September 10, 2019, respondent filed a voluntary surrender of license to practice law, in which he stated that he was 

being investigated by relator for various complaints implicating respondent’s client trust account. The surrender stated that 

relator is prepared to file formal disciplinary charges against 

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Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets

304 Nebraska Reports

STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. HOFFMAN

Cite as 304 Neb. 323

respondent. Respondent states that he knowingly does not contest the truth of the allegations indicated by relator. Respondent 

stated that he freely and voluntarily surrenders his privilege 

to practice law in the State of Nebraska; waives his right to 

notice, appearance, or hearing prior to the entry of an order of 

disbarment; and consents to the entry of an immediate order 

of disbarment.

ANALYSIS

Neb. Ct. R. § 3-315 of the disciplinary rules provides in 

pertinent part:

(A) Once a Grievance, a Complaint, or a Formal 

Charge has been filed, suggested, or indicated against a 

member, the member may voluntarily surrender his or 

her license.

(1) The voluntary surrender of license shall state in 

writing that the member knowingly admits or knowingly 

does not challenge or contest the truth of the suggested 

or indicated Grievance, Complaint, or Formal Charge 

and waives all proceedings against him or her in connection therewith.

Pursuant to § 3-315 of the disciplinary rules, we find that 

respondent has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice 

law and knowingly does not challenge or contest the truth of 

the allegations that could be made against him in connection 

with his client trust account. Further, respondent has waived all 

proceedings against him in connection therewith. We further 

find that respondent has consented to the entry of an order 

of disbarment.

CONCLUSION

Upon due consideration of the court file in this matter, the 

court finds that respondent has stated that he freely, knowingly, 

and voluntarily admits that he does not contest the allegations being made against him. The court accepts respondent’s 

voluntary surrender of his license to practice law, finds that 
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Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets

304 Nebraska Reports

STATE EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DIS. v. HOFFMAN

Cite as 304 Neb. 323

respondent should be disbarred, and hereby orders him disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Nebraska, effective immediately. Respondent shall forthwith comply with all 

terms of Neb. Ct. R. § 3-316 (rev. 2014) of the disciplinary 

rules, and upon failure to do so, he shall be subject to punishment for contempt of this court. Accordingly, respondent is 

directed to pay costs and expenses in accordance with Neb. 

Rev. Stat. §§ 7-114 and 7-115 (Reissue 2012) and Neb. Ct. 

R. §§ 3-310(P) (rev. 2019) and 3-323 of the disciplinary rules 

within 60 days after an order imposing costs and expenses, if 

any, is entered by the court.

Judgment of disbarment.