# FlLE
IN CLERKS OFFICE IUPREME COURT, STATE OFWASHINGTON



### IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

In the Matter ofthe Disciplinary Proceeding Against JOE WICKERSHAM, an Attorney at Law. NO. 201,088-1 (WSBA#18816) ENBANC Filed 

### OCT I72013

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### STEPHENS, J.-This is an attorney discipline matter involving events during a time when the petitioner, Joe Wickersham, was experiencing mental health issues. The hearing officer recommended disbarment. The disciplinary board (Board) rejected some misconduct findings and reduced the sanction to a three-year suspension. We adopt the Board's recommendation and order Wickersham to complete athree-year suspension, and additional conditions, before resumingthepractice oflaw. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY Wickersham was admittedto practice in the state ofWashington in 1989. At the time ofthe events giving rise to these proceedings, he was a solo practitionerIn re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

with an office in the city ofRenton. He had been previously reprimanded by the Washington State BarAssociation (WSBA) in 2006 for an improper fee agreement and improperhandling ofclient funds. Ex. A-136. The events that led the Board to recommend a three-year suspension for Wickersham began in June 2010 and center around two clients, Walter Zimcosky and Jonathan Griffin. 1 In August 2010, Wickersham abruptly left Washington for approximately three weeks. An outgoing voice message on his office telephone stated his office was permanently closed. See Answering Br. ofWSBA (App. E) (hereinafterAnswer) (transcription ofthe outgoing message). TheWSBAbelieved he ·did not resume practice until approximately the end ofDecember 2010, giving rise to an additional grievance thatWickersham abandoned his practice in violation ofthe rules ofprofessional conduct. The Zimcosky Matter Wickersham represented Walter Zimcosky in the Auburn Municipal Court
on a charge of driving under the influence. Zimcosky's wife had retained Wickersham's services with a $3,500 check. A hearing on a motion to suppress filed by Wickersham was scheduled for June 14, 2010, but Wickersham called the court the night before to say he was 

### ill and could not attend, though he apparently did not notify Zimcosky, who appeared at" the hearing. Findings of Fact,

1 The WSBA brought a grievance involving a third client, Raymond Ballard, but the Board struck all findings of fact and conclusions oflaw relating to that client and struck one count of misconduct premised solely on Wickersham's representation of Ballard. -2-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

Conclusions of Law and Hr'g Officer's Recommendation (hereinafter Hr'g Officer's Decision) at 3 (Findings ofFact (FF) 13). The hearing was continued to June 18. On that date, Wickersham appeared
.but exhibited exceedingly odd behavior in the courtroom. He was agitated, sweating, fidgeting, pulled strange faces, including baring his teeth at observers, and engaged in "shadow boxing" or "karate moves." I Verbatim Transcript ofProceedings (VTP) (Sept. 6, 2011) at 27. He asked nonsensical questions and made rambling objections. A prosecutor observing the spectacle testified that he had "never seen anything like it in my entire career, and that includes defendants, that includes mental health hearings, anything. I've never seen anything like it." !d. at 25. The court recessed. Wickersham returned 3 5 minutes late from the break, at which time he was informedthatthe courthad struckthe motions. Wickersham "laughedhysterically, very loudly and walked offlaughing downthehallway." !d. at 33. On June 21, 2010, the city ofAuburn moved to continue the trial due to prosecutors' concerns that Wickersham was not providing effective counsel. Wickersham continued to act erratically at that hearing as well. Following the hearing, Auburn City Prosecutor Harry Boesche filed a motion to disqualify Wickersham. Hr'g Officer'sDecision at 4 (FF 19-20). On July 16, 2010, the court considered the motion but declined to remove Wickersham from representing Zimcosky because the court was unsure what the proper legal standard was for the issue. !d. at 5.

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In the days that followed, Wickersham left a number ofbizarre voice mails for Auburn City Attorney Daniel Reid. !d. On July 22, 2010, Wickersham was taken by police for a mental health evaluation at a hospital and diagnosed with a substance abuse induced psychosis. !d.; Ex. R-8? On July 23, 2010, the court reconvened to address the never-resolved CrR 3.5/3.6 motions. Wickersham again behaved erratically. He told the court he was starting to shake, was going to die, and had to go. Ex. A-129A (Tr. ofJuly 23, 2010 Mot. Hr'g at 9). The hearing ended when the court set the matter over again to July 30. On July 26, 2010, Wickersham left another message for Reid. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 5 (FF 25). Like his previous voice messages, this one relayed Wickersham's belief that several individuals in local government and law enforcement were involved in
some sort ofcover-up or conspiracy in which Wickersham was being victimized. Wickersham also spoke to Heid on the phone approximately three times. As a result ofthese interactions, Heid filed a grievance withthe WSBA. On the morning of July 30, 2010, Wickersham left a message with the WSBA explaining that he was not going to attend the hearing on the CrR 3.5/3.6 motion, noting again his belief that there was a conspiracy against him. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 6. Although Wickersham never formally withdrew from
2 It is unclear how this diagnosis was arrived at, whether by self-report or medical testing. Other exhibits corroborate the possibility ofacocaine inducedpsychosis, seeEx. R-11, butthe source ofthat information is unclear as well. At any rate, the record shows that ifWickersham was experiencing drug-induced psychosis in the summer of2010, his diagnoses at the time ofhearing were a host oforganic brain impairments, including a mood disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and possible delusional disorder. See III VTP (Sept. 8, 2011) at 527 (testimony of licensed mental health counselor Jonathan Goodman). -4-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

Zimcosky's case, and was not granted perm1ss10n to do so by the court in accordance with CrRLJ 3.1(e), he did nothing more on Zimcosky's case following the message to the WSBA on July 30. Zimcosky ended up representing himself and pleaded guilty to reckless driving. 

### !d. at 7. Zimcosky was also not able to
recover his retainer from Wickersham, and though no count of misconduct is premisedonthis, restitutionwas ordered. The GriffinMatter Wickersham was hired to represent Jonathan Griffin in Cowlitz County Superior Court on a felony charge with a firearm enhancement, in addition to several other unrelated city and municipal court matters. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 10. Wickersham wentto courtwith Griffin ontwo occasions in spring 2010 and filed a motionto suppress on June 30, 2010. ButWickersham failed to appear for
a motionhearing onAugust 19, 2010. Apparently he had notified his clientthat he would not be present, but he did not notify the court or the prosecutor. 

### !d. at 11 (FF 54). Griffin spoke with Wickersham during the hearing, and Wickersham agreedto resetthe hearingto August26, 2010. 

### !d. at 11. Butinstead, Wickersham went to the Cowlitz County Superior Court on August 23, 2010. Finding no motion hearing set, he left without speaking to court staff. He testified he terminated services to Griffin the same day. 

### !d. at 12. On August 26, 2010, the court struck the trial date and set the matter over to September 8, 2010. At the September 8, 2010 hearing, Griffin indicated that he had learned second-hand the week prior that Wickersham was "definitely not going to be practicing law" any
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longer. Ex. A-102A at 2. Wickershamhad no further contactwiththe court, never filed a notice ofwithdrawal with regard to Griffin, and did not seek permission to withdraw in accordance with CrR 3.1(e). Griffin eventually retained new counsel. Judge James Stonier filed a grievance. (There is no count of misconduct concerning any fees paidby Griffinto Wickersham.) Abandonment ofPractice As noted above, Wickersham exhibited serious mental health issues beginning in roughly June 2010. Matters grew worse when on August 22, 2010, his service dog3 was apparently shot and killed by a fish and wildlife officer. Itis difficult to ascertain from the record what actually happened with regard to the shooting, butthere seems to be no debate thatthe dog was killed. Ofless certainty is whether Wickersham's office and/or home was burglarized sometime that summer, as he believes. But Wickersham developed the beliefthat he was the target ofa criminal element and that his life was in danger. On August 23, 2010, when he traveled to Cowlitz County, Wickersham had some kind of interaction with a person he believed was part ofthe scheme to do him harm. See II VTP (Sept. 7, 2011) at 385-88. As noted, he left Cowlitz County without confirming the correct court date, and returned to his home. From there he packed up his car and his 16-year-old son. In his son's words, the pair "fled our county and our house and we drove [through] eight states," including a stop in ·Montana to abandon their car and buy a different one. 

### Id. at 388-89. Wickersham was
3Wickersham is visually impaired. -6-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

incommunicado, and his office was closed for several months following his departure, although it appears he returned to Washington sometime in late September or early October. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 17 (FF 79-81); II VTP (Sept. 7, 2011) at 389. DisciplinaryProceedings Followingthese events, the WSBA initiated disciplinary proceedings against Wickersham.4 The WSBA apparently did not seek an interim suspension. In September 2011, ahearingtookplace. Wickershamrepresentedhimself. Itshould be noted that the transcript of the hearing demonstrates a degree of continued impairment in Wickersham. His testimony rambles in places, and he has trouble staying focused. He frequently reiterates his beliefthat some kind ofconspiracy againsthimhad occurredin summer 2010 andthathehadbeenin danger. After the hearing, the hearing officer rendered a decision, finding seven counts ofmisconduct against Wickersham. As noted, the Board struck one count and struck the findings offact and conclusions oflaw relating to client Raymond Ballard. The remaining counts beforethis court are • COUNT 1: By failing to attend his clients' scheduled court appearances, withoutexplanation or formal withdrawal, WickershamviolatedRPC 8.4(d).
• COUNT 2: By abruptly ending his representation ofGriffin and Zimcosky, without taking steps to ensure that his client's interests were protected, WickershamviolatedRPC 1.16(d).
• COUNT 3: [Strickenbythe Board].
4 Nothing in the record indicates whether the WSBA considered disability proceedings under Title 8 ofthe Rules for Enforcement ofLawyer Conduct, rather than disciplinary proceedings.
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• COUNT4: By failing to tell Griffin or Zimcosky that he had ceased practicing law and would no longer represent them, Wickersham violated RPC 1.4(b).
• COUNT 5: By acting in an inappropriate manner at some court appearances and failing to appear at others, and by failing to properly withdraw from Zimcosky's case, WickershamviolatedRPC 8.4(d) and RPC 1.3.
• COUNT 6: By failing to competently represent Zimcosky during court appearances, WickershamviolatedRPC 1.1.
• COUNT 7: By committing [acts as described in the formal complaint], Wickersham abandonedhis practice, demonstrating unfitness to practice law inviolation ofRPC 8.4(n). The hearing officer found that the presumptive sanction was suspension for all violations except count 6 (reprimand) and count 7. He concluded that the presumptive sanction for count 7 (abandonment ofpractice) was disbarment. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 26 (citing ABA STANDARDS FOR IMPOSING LAWYER SANCTIONS (ABA STANDARDS) std. 4.4 (1991 & Supp. 1992)). He found four aggravators and no mitigators in Wickersham's case. Accordingly, thehearing officer recommended disbarment, with restitution in the amount of $3,500 to Zimcosky. He also ordered a mental health reexamination prior to Wickersham
everbeingreinstated. The Board amended the hearing officer's decision to account for the mitigator ofpersonal or emotional problems based on the evidence inthe record of Wickersham's severe mental health issues in summer 2010. The Board also struck
one ofthe aggravators found by the hearing examiner, a pattern ofmisconduct. Accordingly, it unanimously reduced the sanction to a three-year suspension and

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adopted the restitution order. It further adopted the hearing officer's other recommendations regarding reinstatement. Namely, before Wickersham may return to practice, he must undergo an independent examination by a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist chosen by the WSBA, 30 days prior to a request for reinstatement, and execute all necessaryreleases to permitthe evaluator to obtain all necessary treatment records. Further, the evaluator must make a report to the WSBA addressing (1) whether Wickersham has recovered from any issue identified by the evaluator as influencing Wickersham's performance as a lawyer and (2) whether Wickersham's condition is such that he is currently fit to practice law.5 Wickersham challenges the decision. ANALYSIS In disciplinary proceedings, we review conclusions oflaw de novo and will uphold them if they are supported by the findings of fact. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Guarnera, 152 Wn.2d 51, 59, 93 P.3d 166 (2004). ""Substantial evidence exists ifthe record contains evidence in sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-minded, rational person ofthe truth ofdeclared premise.""' In
re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstFerguson, 170 Wn.2d 916, 927, 246 P.3d 1236

5 The Board adopted the hearing officer's further recommendation that if the anticipated evaluation finds Wickersham not fit to practice law, then Wickersham, the evaluator, and the WSBA will meet to discuss the report and decide what steps can be taken to address the evaluator's concerns. If an agreement cannot be reached, Wickersham and the WSBA will present written materials and argument to the Board. The Board will decide under what conditions Wickersham may return to the active practice of law. The hearing officer specified that Wickersham will bear all costs associated with complying with the terms and conditions ofreinstatement as set forth in the officer's decision. -9-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

(2011) (quoting In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstBotimer, 166 Wn.2d 759, 767 n.3, 214 P.3d 133 (2009) (quoting In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Bonet, 144 Wn.2d 502,511,29 P.3d 1242 (2001))). We afford great deference to the Board's recommended sanction but retain the ultimate authority for determining the appropriate sanction for an attorney's misconduct. Id. at 939. When a sanction is recommended by a unanimous Board, we generally adopt it unless there is a clearreason for departure. Id. at 939-40. As an initial matter, we must determine the scope of what is before us. Wickersham assigned error to several ofthe hearing officer's findings offact and conclusions oflaw and the Board's adoption ofthose challenged portions ofthe hearing officer's decision. Opening Br. ofJoe Wickersham (Opening Br.) at 5. Specifically, he contends that (1) the hearing officer erred in finding knowing misconduct; (2) the hearing officer erred in finding injury to clients Griffin and Zimcosky; (3) the hearing officer erred in finding abandonment ofpractice; ( 4) the hearing officer erred in finding the misconduct alleged in counts 1, 2, and 4 through 7; (5) the Board erred in adopting the hearing officer's finding regarding the Griffin andZimcosky matters and abandonment ofpractice; (6) the Board erred in recommending suspension for three years, restitution, and other discipline; (7) the Board erred by failing to consider proportionality in its recommendation; and (8) the hearing officer and Board failed to find the mitigating factors ofremorse, reputation, remoteness ofprior discipline and absence ofdishonestmotive. 

### !d.

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But the WSBA argues that Wickersham failed to briefor argue several of these assignments oferror and that his challenges are therefore waived. Answer at 15 (noting that RAP 10.3(a)(6) is applicable to these proceedings under ELC 12.6(f) and requires a party to provide argument in support ofthe issues presented for review along with citations to the record and legal authority). The only findings and conclusions Wickersham actually argues, the WSBA contends, are thoserelatedto the sanction. 

### !d. The WSBA is correct that Wickersham failed to adequately briefand argue some ofhis assignments oferror. But it concedes that he adequately challenged his sanction. A sanction discussion requires this court to consider the ethical duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, the injury caused, and aggravating or mitigating circumstances. In re Disciplinary Proceeding of Marshall, 160 Wn.2d 317, 342, 157 P.3d 859 (2007). Thus, consideration ofthe sanction here requires review of several of Wickersham's assignments of error, including his mental state at the time of the conduct (assignment of error 1) and whether there was injury (assignment oferror 2). His briefing, however bare it may be, does touch on these questions. See Opening Br. at 12; Reply Br. ofJoe Wickersham (Reply) at 3. And it clearly addresses the questions of mitigating and aggravating factors and proportionality. See Opening Br. at 12-13. His briefing also clearly makes an argument as to whether the evidence supported the critical finding that he abandonedhis practice. 

### !d.

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As to Wickersham's remaining assignments oferror, the WSBA is correct that he has not preserved those adequately with appropriate argument and authority. Thus, we do notreview Wickersham's assigned error 4, nor whetherthe Board erred in adopting the hearing officer's finding regarding the Griffin and Zimcosky matters (the first part ofassignment oferror 5). Because Wickersham gives us no basis to question them, we accept as verities the hearing examiner's findings offact regarding the violations arising from Wickersham's handling ofthe Griffin and Zimcosky matters, and the Board's adoption ofthem, as well as any conclusions oflaw flowing from them. Citing this court's recent opinion in 

### In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainst Conteh, 175 Wn.2d 134, 284 P.3d 724 (2012), Wickersham claims that court will forgive technical violations ofthe rules ofappellate procedure. Reply at 2. But in 

### Conteh, while the respondent failed to enumerate his assignments oferror, he did clearly delineate them within his briefs headings and devoted separate paragraphs to his assignments of error. 175 Wn.2d at 133-34. Here we have the opposite situation: a numbered list ofassignments oferror, but no supporting briefing. This is not atechnical violationthis courtwill overlook. But as noted, Wickersham did adequately preserve several of his assignments of error and we will now turn to them, beginning first with the contested area of misconduct-abandonment of practice-before turning to a discussion of the appropriate sanction. Because the abandonment count alone

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carries the presumptive sanction ofdisbannent, resolution ofthis count governs the sanction analysis. A. ChallengedRPC Violation: AbandonmentofPractice The Board agreed with the hearing officer that Wickersham abandoned his practice in summer 2010 until December 2010, violating a number ofRPCs related to the administration ofjustice, client communications, protecting client interests, proper withdrawal from a case, competent representation, and fitness to practice law. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 22-24 (citing RPC 8.4(d), 1.16(d), 1.4(b), 1.3, 1.1, 8.4(n)). The hearing officer found, and the Board agreed, that the WSBA proved the violations by a clearpreponderance ofthe evidence. 

### !d. In so concluding, the hearing officer relied on Wickersham's abrupt withdrawal from the Griffin and Zimcosky matters, as well as the fact that his office was closed for several weeks beginning in August, and an outgoing message on his office voice mail stated that the office was permanently closed. Between August and December 2010, no one checked the mail or answered the phone at the office. Hr'g Officer's Decision at 17 (FF 80). The hearing officer found that Wickersham had between 8 and 12 clients as ofAugust2010, whenhe fled the state. Wickersham argues that the WSBA failed in its burden to prove by a clear preponderance ofthe evidence that he abandoned his practice. He contends that during the period between August and December 2010, he was in contact with many of his clients. He notes that there is no evidence he missed any court appearances or that he failed to act on behalf of a client outside ofthe isolated
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instances involving Griffin and Zimcosky in summer 2010. He also contends that while he closedhis physical office, he transported all his files and office equipment to his home and continued his practice from his home during the period in question. Reply at 3-4. Wickersham faults the WSBA for relying on the outgoing message on his voice mail, and some voice mail messages he left for others, to establish abandonmentwhen those messages were "made during atime ofextreme emotional distress" and are contravened by his conduct and actions at that time. 

### Id. at 3. Considering the entire record, this is a close call, but we conclude that the WSBA proved Wickersham abandoned his practice by a clear preponderance of the evidence. The question is close because there appears to be nothing in the record aboutthe 8to 12 clients Wickersham was representing in additionto Griffin and Zimcosky. He is correct that the WSBA has not presented evidence that any other clients besides Griffin and Zimcosky were "abandoned." But, no evidence otherthanWickersham's testimony supports his claimthathe was practicing out of his home during this period. His own witness, a client in a personal injury case who retained Wickersham in June 2010, testified that Wickersham contacted him in mid-September or October of that year to say he could no longer provide representation and refunded a retainer. III VTP (Sept. 8, 2011) at 561. It is difficult to overcome the outgoing message on his voice mail that his office was permanently closed and testimony that the office voice mail and physical mail was not checked during this period. IfWickersham was indeedrunning his office from
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his home during the time periodin question, there are no outwardmanifestations of that. We affirm the WSBA's determination that Wickersham abandoned his practice, per count7. B. Sanction Having concludedthatWickersham abandonedhis practice in additionto the other violations identified, the hearing officer identified standard 4.4 ofthe ABA Standards, "Lack ofDiligence," as the appropriate guidepost. The presumptive sanction where a lawyer abandons his practice and causes serious or potentially serious injury to his client is disbarment. ABA STANDARDS std. 4.4l(a). The Board mitigated the presumptive sanction by finding the presence ofpersonal or emotional health problems. Board Order Amending Decision at 5 (Board Order). Italso struck the hearing examiner's aggravating factor ofapattern ofmisconduct. Accordingly, it reduced the hearing examiner's recommended sanction from disbarmentto athree-year suspension. The imposition of a sanction involves a two-step process. First, the presumptive sanction is determined considering the ethical duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, and the extent of actual or potential injury. Conteh, 175 Wn.2d at 150. Second, aggravating and mitigating circumstances are consideredto determine whether a departure from the presumptive sanction is warranted. 

### !d. If raisedby the attorney, this courtwill "additionally consider[] the proportionality of the sanction andthe degree ofunanimity amongthe boardmembers." 

### !d.

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1. Mental State As an initial matter, the hearing officer concluded that Wickersham's conduct was knowing as to several counts, including abandonment ofhis practice. See, e.g., 

### Hr'g Officer's Decision at 20, 24, 25 (FF 103, Conclusions ofLaw 125, 128). This is a debatable conclusion. A knowing violation of the rules of professional conduct requires the WSBA to show that the attorney "had 'the conscious awareness ofthe nature or attendant circumstances of [his] conduct."' In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Preszler, 169 Wn.2d 1, 21-22, 232 P.3d 1118 (2010) (quoting ABA STANDARDS, Definitions at 17). Given the extreme nature ofthe mental health issues Wickersham was experiencing in summer and fall 2010, he argues he was not aware ofthe nature or attendant circumstances of his conduct. Indeed, much ifnot all ofhis conduct appears to have been driven by the beliefthathe was at the center ofan elaborate conspiracyby the Auburnpolice, which also implicated federal and state law enforcement, and thathe was in mortal danger. That fear seems to have driven his decision to abruptly flee Washington and also appears to have motivated him to miss the court dates he did and withdraw from representing Griffin and Wickersham. We could fairly conclude that Wickersham was unaware of the nature or attendant circumstances of his conduct and thus did not act knowingly. On the contrary, his thought processes appearto have been singularly divorced from reality during summer and fall2010. That said, there is no mental state component to the sanction set forth in standard 4.41(a). It is unnecessary to find Wickersham's misconduct knowing.
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Because we find that substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Wickersham abandoned his practice, the presumptive sanction of disbarment applies regardless ofwhetherthe conductwas knowing. 2. Injury Substantial evidence exists to support the hearing officer's conclusion that there was serious injury or potentially serious injury to Wickersham's clients, the public, or the legal system or the profession. Wickersham argues a "no harm, no foul" approach as to whether Griffin and Zimcosky suffered harm. See Opening Br. at 12. Buteven ifwe acceptedhis viewthatneither client suffered actualharm, his argument ignores the fact that both clients were at risk ofpotentially serious harm and that Wickersham's other clients were also at risk ofpotentially serious harm, as was the public. Regardless ofwhether Wickersham had much control
over his actions, his conduct in abruptly withdrawing from at leasttwo matters and disappearing with no recourse for his clients to contact him indisputably meets the injurythreshold. 3. Aggravators and Mitigators The hearing officer found the following aggravators: prior offenses, apattern ofmisconduct, multiple offenses, and substantial experience in the practice oflaw. The hearing officer found there were no applicable mitigating factors, "unless the Disciplinary Board or the Supreme Court believes Respondent was so impaired that he could notknowingly have causedthe harm outlined above." Hr'g Officer's Decision at 26.

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a. Aggravators As explained above, the Board struck the aggravator related to a pattern of

·misconduct, concluding that "misconduct in two client matters related in time to

one event in [Wickersham's] life" did not establish a pattern. Board Order at 4. It adopted the hearing officer's remaining findings ofaggravated circumstances for a prioroffense, multiple offenses, and substantial experience inthe practice oflaw. Wickersham challenges only one ofthe aggravators, arguing that his prior instance ofmisconduct is too remote in time to be given weight here. "This court

... routinely considers similar misconduct dating back many years to determine whether prior disciplinary offenses serve as an aggravating factor." In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against VanDerbeek, 153 Wn.2d 64, 92, 101 P.3d 88 (2004). We have indicated that the passage of time is less important to determining whether previous misconduct is remote than the similarities between the episodes ofmisconduct. 

### !d. Wickersham's prior 2006 reprimand involved the misuse of a retainer fee in 2005, which is similar to some of his conduct here. Thus, the hearing officer and the Board correctly considered this aggravator in imposing a sanction. b. Mitigators Wickersham argues thatthe following mitigators are applicable here: mental disability, lack ofdishonest motive, remorse, and good reputation. As the Board did, we recognize a mitigating circumstance for personal or emotional problems, but not for mental disability. We also conclude that substantial evidence supports
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finding mitigating circumstances for an absence ofdishonest motive and remorse, butnot for goodreputation. (1) MentalDisability orPersonal/EmotionalProblems The Board agreed with the hearing examiner that the mitigator of "mental disability" could not apply as there was no evidence to support the four requirements under the appropriate ABA Standards. A mental disability may be considered as a mitigator only if (1) there is medical evidence that the respondent is affected by a chemical dependency ormental disability; (2) the chemical dependency ormental disability causedthe misconduct; (3) the respondent's recovery from the chemical dependency or mental disability is demonstrated by a meaningful and sustained period of successful rehabilitation; and (4) the recovery arrested the misconduct and recurrence ofthat misconduct is unlikely. ABA STANDARDS std. 9.32(i) (Supp. 1992). Wickersham appears to arguethatthis mitigator should apply, noting that "his alleged misconduct was caused by his temporarymental condition." OpeningBr. at 16. The hearing officer and the Board correctly concluded that Wickersham did not present evidence to support mitigation under ABA Standards std. 9.32(i). Specifically, he has not shown a meaningful and sustained period ofrehabilitation
or that recovery arrested the misconduct and recurrence of the misconduct is unlikely. There are no specific findings offact to this effect, butthe record reveals that Wickersham's sole mental health expert opined that Wickersham was "improving dramatically" and ifhe continued with treatment, "would be able to

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return to full functioning at some time in the fairly near future." III VTP (Sept. 8, 2011) at 532. In other words, at the time of the hearing, the evidence suggests that Wickersham was not recovered to the point that he could demonstrate a meaningful and sustainedperiod ofsuccessful rehabilitation. Moreover, his mental health provider explained that at the time of the hearing, his recommendation would be that Wickersham return to practice in "ameasured way, ... doing small amounts ofwork and seeing howhe reacts to it." 

### ld. at 544. His testimony did not unequivocally suggestthat arecurrence ofWickersham's problems was unlikely at that point. Thus, as strongly as the evidence suggests that severe mental health issues gave rise to the conduct at issue, we cannot add the mitigator of mental disabilityto Wickersham's sanction analysis. However, the Board correctly recognized a mitigating circumstance for personal or emotional problems based on mental health issues, citing Wickersham's diagnoses ofmood disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and very likely major depressive disorder, and noting the hearing officer's finding thatthere
was evidence Wickersham's <?hemical dependency and/or mental disability contributed to the misconduct. Board Order at 4. There is substantial evidence supportingthe finding ofthis mitigator. The Boardnotedthat issues ofmental disability or chemical dependency are given varying degrees ofweight depending on how greatly such factors contributed to the conduct, though it made no finding as to the weight the mitigator should be
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given here. 

### !d. (citing ABA STANDARDS std. 9.32). But the evidence easily suggests that Wickersham's mental disability was at least a substantially contributing cause of his offense and thus should be given great weight. We therefore hold that the mitigator ofmental disability does not apply but that the mitigator of personal/emotional problems as a result of mental health issues is given greatweight. (2) Absence ofDishonestMotive The hearing officer also made no findings regarding the absence of a dishonest motive. But the record here is replete with evidence that Wickersham acted not for any kind of personal gain, but during episodes of serious mental health issues. Onthis record, we holdthat a mitigatorrecognizingthe absence ofa dishonest motive applies. (3) Remorse It is unclear whether Wickersham argued before the hearing officer that his
remorse for what occurred should mitigate his sanction. But the hearing officer concluded that as ofthe time ofhearing, Wickersham was "still in denial that his actions had any adverse impact on either his clients or thejustice system." Hr'g Officer's Decision at 21. Wickersham's perceived lack of appreciation for his actions, however, could very well have been the result ofa continued impairment due to mental illness. His testimony during his hearing evinced that he continued to believe he had been the target of a large conspiracy masterminded by several law enforcement agencies. 

### See, e.g., II VTP (Sept. 7, 2011) at 399-416. Indeed,
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several portions of the transcript from the hearing leave the impression that Wickersham continued to experience amarked degree ofimpairment due to mental illness atthetime ofthe hearing. But Wickersham did explain in testimony at the hearing that at the time of the misconduct, he "reallywasn'tquite-quite [in] my right state ofmind." IVTP (Sept. 6, 2011) at 287. He also explained that during summer 2010, "I've never been at a lower point in my life. I've been in dark places
.... I can tell you I'm very sorry for whatever burden I may have imposed on anybody." II VTP (Sept. 

### 7, 2011) at 416. In sum, the record reflects that Wickersham expressed genuine regret and
remorse for the events of summer and fall 2010, the articulation of which was somewhat complicated by continuing mental health issues. On balance, the evidence supports afinding ofremorse, and we conclude this mitigator applies. (4) Reputation The hearing officer made no finding regarding Wickersham's reputation. Wickersham points to testimony from one colleague attesting to Wickersham's excellent standing among attorneys. III VTP (Sept. 8, 2011) at 556-59. In the absence of any findings, however, this is not enough to meet the substantial evidence test. We decline to apply amitigator for goodreputation. Overall, we apply a prior offense aggravator. We hold that the mitigator of mental disability does not apply here but that the mitigator ofpersonal/emotional problems as a result ofmental health issues is given great weight. We apply a
-22-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1
mitigator for the absence of a dishonest motive and for the presence ofremorse. We decline to apply a mitigator for good reputation in the absence ofsubstantial evidence supporting such a finding. 4. Proportionality Wickersham argues that his sanction is not proportional. He cites several
cases in which the misconduct appears as or more grievous than his own and in which the attorney received a lesser sanction. Opening Br. at 13-14 (citing Conteh, 175 Wn.2d 134; Ferguson, 170 Wn.2d 916; In re DisciplinaryProceeding Against Longacre, 155 Wn.2d 723, 122 P.3d 710 (2005); In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Dynan, 152 Wn.2d 601, 98 P.3d 444 (2004); In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstMiller, 99 Wn.2d 695, 663 P.2d 1342 (1983); In
re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainst Grubb, 99 Wn.2d 690, 663 P.2d 1346 (1983). The WSBA responds that some ofthe cases Wickersham cites predatethe adoption ofthe ABA Standards, which were meant to provide a uniform framework, and hence cases thatpredate ithave little value in aproportionality review. Otherwise, the WSBA argues, the cases cited by Wickersham do not involve similar misconduct.6 "Proportionate sanctions are those which are "'roughly proportionate to sanctions imposed in similar situations or for analogous levels of culpability.""'

6 Following oral argument in this case, the WSBA submitted additional authority consisting of Board decisions in cases that were never appealed to this court. Wickersham moved to strike the additional authority as improper. We deny Wickersham's motion but have not relied on the WSBA's supplemental authority in renderingthis opinion andtherefore neednotvisitthe merits ofWickersham's objection. -23-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

Dynan, 152 Wn.2d at 623 (quoting In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Anschell, 141 Wn.2d 593, 615, 9 P.3d 193 (2000) (quoting In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainst Gillingham, 126 Wn.2d 454, 469, 896 P.2d 656 (1995))). The WSBA is correct that we should be wary of relying on cases that predate the adoption ofthe ABA Standards in a proportionality review; the inconsistencies among such cases was theprimaryreasontheABAStandards were developed. At least one ofthe post-ABAStandards cases citedby Wickersham involves misconduct for which, as here, the presumptive sanction was disbarment, reduced to suspension. Dynan, 152 Wn.2d at 623. In Dynan, the attorney had knowingly submitted false declarations for attorney fees. 

### !d. at 607. The presumptive sanction was disbarment. 

### !d. But afterreviewing cases ofsimilar misconduct, this court ordered a six-month suspension. 

### !d. at 623-25. Likewise, in In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstMcLendon, 120 Wn.2d 761, 845 P.2d 1006 (1993) the Board ordered disbarment of an attorney who converted client funds. 

### !d. at 768-69. This court reduced the sanction to a twoyear suspension based on the fact that McLendon was suffering from bipolar disorder during all times relevant to the misconduct. 

### !d. at 773.7 Based on both the nature ofthe conduct and the level ofculpability, McLendon is a similar case. However, the opinion in McLendon repeatedly emphasized that the attorney's mental illness was being successfully treated at the time ofthe hearing, so that the

7 At the time ofthe McLendon decision, the court credited McLendon with the three years on interim suspension he had already completed toward his two-year suspension, and thus he effectively couldreturn to practice immediately. -24-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

public was not at risk ifhe were allowed to return to practice. Id. at 766, 774. There is no such evidence that Wickersham's mental health issues are resolved. McLendon does not suggestWickersham's sanction is disproportionally harsh. However, in 2010, we imposed atwo-year suspension instead ofdisbarment
on an attorney whose conduct was arguably worse than Wickersham's. In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstShepard, 169 Wn.2d 697, 239 P.3d 1066 (2010). There the attorney, Shepard, associated himselfwith a living trust scam targeted at seniors. 

### !d. at 701. The presumptive sanction for such misconduct is disbarment. 

### !d. at 715. His aggravators included apattern ofmisconduct and taking advantage ofvulnerable victims, as well as substantial experience and multiple offenses. 

### !d. at 707-08. As mitigators, the Board found he was remorseful, had a good reputation, had made a good-faith effort to make restitution, and the absence ofa priorrecord. 

### !d. at 708. Considering the mitigators and reasoning that disbarment
was not necessary to protect the public or educate other lawyers, the Board unanimously recommended a two-year suspension rather than disbarment. Id. This court agreed. Id. at 716-18. Hence, both Shepard and this case involved conduct that gave rise to a presumptive sanction of disbarment, but where the sanction was reduced to suspensiOn. It may be argued that Shepard presents a more egregious case of misconduct, suggesting that Wickersham's sanction should be suspension ofless than two years. On the other hand, it appears the determinative factor in Shepard
was the absence of a need to protect the public. See 169 Wn.2d at 716. Here,
-25-

--------------------------------------- ----- -In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

Wickersham's mental health does not appear to have stabilized to such a degree that concern for the public is not an issue, suggesting that a three-year suspension is not disproportionatelyharsheven comparedto Shepard. On balance, Wickersham has not met his burden to show a three-year suspension is disproportionate. While the Dynan case provides an example where misconduct carrying a presumptive sanction of disbarment was reduced to a minimum sanction, there are obvious factual differences in the nature of the misconduct at issue here. And, while the court in McLendon displayed some leniency toward a lawyer whose mental illness contributed to very serious misconduct, the evidence establishedthatthe lawyer was successfullyparticipating in treatment and that the risk of recurring misconduct was very remote. The testimony in Wickersham's case offers no such assurances. Likewise, Shepard is distinguishable because there the court was assured there was no need to protect thepublic from further harm.8

8 We appreciate Justice Gordon McCloud's compassionate discussion of the tragedy ofchronic mental illness and have no disagreement with her assessment ofthe situation here in that regard. We do not agree, however, that a departure from the Board's unanimous three-year suspension decision is warranted. The concurrence submits that a three-year suspension punishes Wickersham for being mentally ill, contrary to the goals ofthe attorney discipline system. Concurrence at 5-6. But as our review demonstrates, the Board's sanction here is proportionate, and there is no suggestion that it was predicated on anything other than appropriate concerns for deterrence and protection ofthe public. Nor are we prepared to order the WSBA to engage in the kind of oversight and monitoring during the suspension period that the concurrence proposes. On this record, we have little information about whether such a framework would be workable for either the WSBA or Wickersham. In sum, while we acknowledge thatthis case is made all the more challenging by the intersection ofchronic mental illness and the disciplinary system, we hew to the standards requiring us to give great weight to a unanimous Board decision. The Board's sanction is proportionate and sustainable on the recordbefore us. -26-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1



### In sum, although this court adds mitigating factors not considered by the Board to the sanction analysis here-in particular the mitigators ofremorse and absence of selfish motive-we do not depart from the Board's recommended sanction, which was unanimous and therefore entitled to great weight. Thus, we impose a three-year suspension subject to the same conditions involving Wickersham's fitness to return to practice imposed by the hearing officer and adoptedbythe Board. CONCLUSION This is a difficult case inthatthe record suggests thatWickersham continued to experience mental health issues even at'the time ofhis discipline hearing. Our examination of the record reveals troubling instances of insensitivity to Wickersham's condition. For example, the hearing examiner wrote that while Wickersham identified one ofhis diagnoses as megalomania, "it might better be described as hubris." Hr'gOfficer's Decision at 22. This kind ofmoralizing inthe context ofmental illness does not further the purposes ofthe disciplinary process. Butthe fact remains that Wickersham's conditionpreventedhim from competently practicing law, with potentially serious injury to his clients. Wickersham failed to establish at his hearing that he was ready to return to the practice oflaw, and this court has no more current information than that. Given the seriousness of the misconduct and after considering appropriate aggravating and mitigating factors,
as well as similar cases, we impose a three-year suspension. We further adopt the Board's recommended condition to reinstatement: that Wickersham undergo an
-27-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1
independent examination by a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist chosen by the WSBA, 30 days prior to a request for reinstatement, and execute all necessaryreleases to permitthe evaluatorto obtain all necessary treatmentrecords. Further, the evaluator must make a report to the WSBA addressing (1) whether Wickersham has recovered from any issues identified by the evaluator as influencing Wickersham's performance as a lawyer and (2) whetherWickersham's conditionis suchthathe is currently fit to practice law.

-28-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1

WE CONCUR:**~·------------~--~----~**

-29-In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent

No. 201,088-1 (WSBA#18816)

GORDON McCLOUD, J. (dissenting)-Mental health problems reqmre mental health solutions. That is especially importantwhenprotection ofthepublic is at stake-andprotection ofthepublic is the main goal ofattorney discipline. Inthis case, Joe Wickersham suffered severe mental illnesses that causedhis unprofessional and weird behavior. He suffered from a mood disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, "very likely major depressive disorder," and possibly "mania, hypomania
... delusional disorder, and bipolar disorder." Findings of Fact, Conclusions ofLaw and Hr'g Officer's Recommendation at.18 (Findings of Fact (FF) 93); Clerk's Papers (CP) at 18. 1 Mr. Wickersham also exhibited symptoms ofparanoia and testified thathe had beentreated for megalomania. Id. at 19 (FF 93); CP at 19.

1Experts recognize these and other mental health conditions as forms of"mental illness"-"disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior." MAYO CLINIC, MENTAL ILLNESS-DEFINITION, available at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mentalillness/DS01104 (lastvisited Oct. 14, 2013). 1In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent
The majority acknowledges that Mr. Wickersham suffered from severe mental health problems related to his violations.2 The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) also acknowledgedthatthe violations were mitigatedby "the presence ofpersonal or emotional health problems." Majority at 15 (citing Board OrderAmendingDecisionat 5). Likephysical illnesses, these mental illnesses strike withoutpersonalblame. A mental illness is "ahealth conditionthatchanges aperson'sthinking, feelings, or behavior (or all three) and that causes the person distress and difficulty in functioning." 3 Ongoing research indicates that "mental illness is associated with changes in the brain's structure, chemistry, and function and that mental illness does indeed have a biological basis."4 Because ofthis research, scientists have

2 E.g., majority at 16 (WSBA's decision that the most serious violation was "knowing" is "debatable" "[g]iven the extreme nature of the mental health issues Wickersham was experiencing in summer and fall 2010
...."); id. ("We could fairly conclude that Wickersham was unaware ofthe nature or attendant circumstances ofhis conduct, and thus did not actknowingly. On the contrary, his thoughtprocess appears to have been singularly divorced from reality during summer and fall 2010."); id. at 20 ("[A]s strongly as the evidence suggests that severe mental health issues gave rise to the conduct at issue, we cannot add the mitigator of mental disability to Wickersham's sanction analysis" because it does not fit strictly within the parameters ofthe American BarAssociation's StandardsforImposingLawyerSanctions.). 3 NAT'L INST. OF MENTAL HEALTH, TEACHER'S GUIDE: INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE BRAIN § 1, available at http://science.education.nih.gov/ supplements/nih5/mental!guide/info-mental-a.htm (lastvisited Oct. 14, 2013). 4!d. 2In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 

### 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent


### found mental illnesses to.be comparableto otherbrain disorders, such as "epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, andmultiple sclerosis."5 

### Just as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis can cause a person's bodyto act in ways over which he or she has no control, mental illnesses
can cause peopleto behave orreactto situations in amanner contraryto theirusual disposition.6 

### In fact, one ofthe warning signs for mental illness is a "marked personality change."7 

### In this case, Mr. Wickersham's mental illnesses caused severe problems in his life, in his practice, and for his clients. I therefore agree with the majority that
we must uphold the WSBA's unanimous finding that he committed six counts of professional misconduct. But I cannot agree with the extremely punitive sanction through which the WSBA andthe majority choseto address this misconduct. The purpose of attorney discipline is to protect the public and deter other lawyers from misconduct. In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against Kuvara, 

### 149 Wn.2d 237, 257, 66 P.3d 1057 (2003) (citing In re Disciplinary Proceeding AgainstNoble, 

### 100 Wn.2d 88, 95, 667 P.2d 608 (1983)).

5ld. 6 Id. § 3. 7Jd. 3In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent
The WSBA obviously does not think that Mr. Wickersham currently presents a danger to the public, to clients, or to potential clients. The WSBA did not seek interim suspension pending the outcome of these disciplinary proceedings; itmade a decisionthat he was capable ofcontinuing withhispractice in the limited fashion that he was doing so, with his mental illnesses now under
some control. Majority at 7 ("The WSBA apparently did not seek an interim suspension."). 8 His emotionalproblems are certainlynotfully under control; as the majority notes, Mr. Wickersham's ownmental health expert "opinedthat [he] was 'improving dramatically' and ifhe continued with treatment, 'would be able to returnto full functioning at some time inthe fairly near future."' 

### Id. at 19 (quoting III Verbatim Transcript ofProceedings (Sept. 8, 2011) at 532). Butno one argues thathe nowposes a dangerto thepublicfrom his currentpractice. The WSBA's recommendation that Mr. Wickersham be suspended from practice at the conclusion of these proceedings, despite the lack of danger his continued practice poses right now, for three years-the maximumpossibleperiod of suspension that can be imposed, Rules for Enforcement ofLawyer Conduct (ELC) 13.3-must therefore be based on something other than protection ofthe

8 At oral argument the WSBA confirmed its decision not to seek an interim suspension. Wash. Supreme Court oral argument, In re Discipline ofWickersham, No. 201,088-1 (Mar. 12, 2013), at 19 min., 30 sec., audio recording by TVW, Washington State'sPublicAffairs Network, available athttp://www.tvw.org. 4In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 

### GordonMcCloud, J., 

### Dissent public. It

### must be based on a desire to punish him for conduct that was, frankly, inappropriate, obnoxious, disrespectful, and dangerous to his clients and to the criminaljustice system. But protection ofthe public and deterrence of similar misconduct are the only permissible purposes of attorney discipline in Washington. Kuvara, 

### 149 Wn.2d at 257 (citing Noble, 100 Wn.2d at 95). Punishment is certainly a permissible goal ofthe criminal law. ButMr. Wickersham has notbeen convicted of a crime. And punishment is not the goal of attorney discipline. In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainst Tasker, 141 Wn.2d 557, 569, 9 P.3d 822 (2000) ("retribution and punishment are not among the purposes of lawyer discipline" (citingNoble, 100 Wn.2d at 95)); In re Discipline ProceedingAgainst Vetter, 104 Wn.2d 779, 792, 711 P.2d 284 (1985) ("[T]he purposes ofattorney discipline are limited to theprotection ofthe public and to the deterrence ofother attorneys from similar misconduct. Punishment is neverthe goal, butthe inevitable sequela ofthe sanction." (citing Noble, 100 Wn.2d at 95)). I therefore respectfully dissent from the majority's decision to endorse this most punitive sanction, rather than to impose a sanctionthat addresses Mr. 

### Wickersham's mental illness. In disciplinary proceedings, the Washington State Supreme Court has the "ultimate responsibility" to determine the sanctions for attorney misconduct. In 

### re
5In reDisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent Disciplinary ProceedingAgainst Christopher, 153 Wn.2d 669, 677, 105 P.3d 976 (2005) (citingIn reDisciplinaryProceedingAgainstKagele, 149 Wn.2d 793, 812, 72 P.3d 1067 (2003)). The court generally gives "great deference to the decisions ofa unanimous Board," and will "adoptthe Board's sanction 'unless [the court is] able to articulate specific reasons for adopting a different sanction."' In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstDay, 162 Wn.2d 527, 538, 173 P.3d 915 (2007) (quotingNoble, 100 Wn.2d at95). There is a "specific reason[]" for imposing a different sanction in this case. Thereason is thatwe should notpunish aperson for his orhermental illness. Itis not an effective way to deter the individual from slipping underthe belljar.9 Itis not an effective wayto deter otherlawyers from violating the Rules ofProfessional Conduct. And it is not aproper or moral response to mental illness. SeeRobinson
v. California, 370 U.S. 660, 666, 82 S. Ct. 1417, 8 L. Ed. 2d 758 (1962) ("a law which made a criminal offense of such a disease [as mental illness] would doubtless be universally thought to be an infliction of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments" (citing Louisiana ex rel. Francis v. Resweber, 329 U.S. 459, 67 S. Ct. 374, 91 L. Ed. 422 (1947))).

9 SylviaPlath, THE BELLJAR(1963). 6In re Disciplinary ProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent
Ifthe public is in currentjeopardy from the mentally ill lawyer, then the proper, moral, response-like the effective consumer protection response-is to barthe person from practicing law now. That is apparently not the case here-the WSBA decided to permit Mr. Wickersham to continue practicing law during the two years that this disciplinary action has been pending, thus allowing him to return to practice very slowly during his recovery. Where, as here, the public is not currently in jeopardy from the recovering lawyer, the proper response is to create incentives to seek appropriate treatment (e.g., medication, medical assistance, therapy) to avoidrelapse. The disciplinary board's (Board) recommended sanction would protect the public from Mr. Wickersham for the duration of the three-year suspension, but research indicates that mental illnesses are similarto other chronic diseases, in that mostrequire "continuing care and monitoring." 10 Without continuedtreatment and monitoring, "the outcome is often relapse." 11 The Board'srecommended sanction

10 LINDA ROSENBERG, EQUAL TREATMENT: MENTAL ILLNESS IS A CHRONIC DISEASE, NAT'L COUNCIL FOR CMTY. BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, available at http://nccbh.browsermedia.com/galleries/press-tiles/LindaEqualTreatment.pdf (lastvisited Oct. 14, 2013). 11 Id. 7In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 Gordon McCloud, J., Dissent
includes no oversight mechanism, and thus no means to ensure that Mr. Wickersham does not suffer arelapse andharm clients whilehereenters practice. 12 A two-year suspension, followed by two years of probation, is a better response to the problemspresented in this case. MonitoringMr. Wickersham for a period of time while he is practicing will ensure that he is receiving proper treatment and is able to fulfill his professional duties. This sanction would aclmowledge the fact thatMr. Wickersham's misconductresulted from personality and behavioral changes related to his illnesses, and it would promote his rehabilitation. The Board's recommended sanction seems to punish Mr. Wickersham for the symptoms his illnesses caused andprovides no mechanism for monitoringhis treatmentandrecovery. I therefore respectfully dissent from the majority's decision to suspend Mr. Wickersham from the practice oflaw for three years. Itis a punitive response to a mental health issue. The public would be better protected by the imposition ofa shorter suspension, combined with a very long term of supervision to ensure
12 The Board's sanction, which the majority affirms, requires Mr. Wickersham to undergo an independent examination 30 days prior to a request for reinstatement. Majority at 27; CP at 57, 68. This requirementprovides someprotection for thepublic in that it is a screening mechanism, but it does not entail any probationary period during which Mr. Wickersham could be monitored as he readjusts to the demands of his practice. The Board's order provides for the possibility ofsuch supervision because it states that "[t]heDisciplinary Board shall decide under what conditions Respondent shall return to the active practice oflaw," but itdoes not make supervision mandatory. CP at 57-58. We would structurethe sanction so as to ensure aperiod ofsupervision. 8In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 Gordon McCloud, J., Dissent compliance with the conditions aptly listed by the majority. This would ensure thatifMr. Wickersham exhibits any future mental healthproblems, theseproblems
can be minimized, or at least acknowledged, and addressed with curative steps or arrangements to wind down his practice in an orderly fashion. Unfortunately, we do nothave the besttools at our disposalto accomplishthis. The maximumperiod ofprobation currently available is two years. ELC 13.8. The record in this case indicates that two years ofprobation might not be a sufficient amount oftime to protect the public and assure Mr. Wickersham's healthy return to full-time practice. Three years ofsuspension, however, does nothing to ensure a successful return. I wouldtherefore impose aterm ofsuspension ofno longerthantwo years, to be followed by the maximum two-year term ofprobation combined with the conditions well-describedbythe majority.

9In re DisciplinaryProceedingAgainstJoe Wickersham, AttorneyatLaw, 201,088-1 GordonMcCloud, J., Dissent

10