Document: 345 U.S. 286 73 S.Ct. 676 97 L.Ed. 1013 In re ISSERMAN. No. 5, Misc. Decided April 6, 1953. Mr. Chief Justice VINSON announced the order of Court and an opinion in which REED, BURTON MINTON join. 1 Abraham J. Isserman, respondent herein, was attorney for several eleven defendants whose convictions were affirmed by this Dennis v. United States, 1951, 341 494, 71 857, 95 1137. At conclusion trial proceedings, judge sentenced all six defense attorneys, including respondent, to jail contempt. There one charge conspiracy attorneys obstruct thirty-nine charges specific acts contempt, related respondent. The Appeals reversed as but thirty-seven naming States Sacher, 2 Cir., 1950, 182 F.2d 416. Upon a limited grant certiorari, also affirmed, Sacher 1952, 343 1, 72 451, 96 717. Respondent had been member bar New Jersey. Following affirmance contempt sentence here, Supreme State issued disbarring respondent.1 3 We then rule show good cause why he should not be disbarred here.2 This done accordance with Rule 2, par. Court, 28 U.S.C.A.: 4 'Where it is shown court that any its has from practice State, Territory, District, or Insular Possession, guilty conduct unbecoming court, will forthwith suspended before unless, upon notice mailed him at address clerk's records clerk highest District belongs, shows contrary within forty days disbarred.' 5 (as well federal courts general) does independent examinations admission bar. To do so would duplicate needlessly machinery established states function traditionally determine who shall stand Rather our rules provide eligibility those admitted past three years state.3 obvious premise confidence bars maintained Union. himself came presenting certificate his Jersey, now no longer finds qualified 6 Disbarment state automatically disbar members bar, will, absence some grave reason contrary, follow finding character requisite membership lacking, Selling Radford, 1917, 243 46, 37 377, 61 585. But we used disbarment sister followed matter comity.4 7 contemptuous have catalogued elsewere need detailed here again.5 main, they consisted repetitious insolent objections arguments after made rulings ordered halt further argument on points involved. As observed affirming sentences such '* * condemned every examined record under duty review facts.'6 Now additional judicial voices condemning conduct—the unanimous Jersey speaking through Vanderbilt. 8 Our puts burden disbarred. Let us examine reasons advanced meeting burden. It said already punished enough excessive, vindictive punishment. Such attitude misconceives purpose disbarment. vested right individual law. there protect itself, hence society, instrument justice. That loss status incidental cannot deter strike rolls engaged inconsistent standard expected officers Court. doing, lay down mere contempt;7 rather considered basic nature actions their relationship functioning judiciary. 9 given ground against Nothing refers factor. make turning point proceeding tantamount stating recurring disobedience unless accompanied conspiracy. 10 urged period suspension most appropriate, Southern York only saw fit suspend two years. premature say what action may taken rules8 result respondent's 11 nine-page opinion, devoted noting convicted statutory rape 1925 thereupon short period.9 language: 'The controlling consideration reaching determination measure discipline, however, scandalous inexcusable behaviour seeking bring administration justice into disrepute lasted nine months.'10 noted, files office Clerk did disclose conviction application bar,11 sanction granting admission. 12 placed judgment, failed meet test. An issue. ordered. 13 14 CLARK took part decision proceeding. 15 JACKSON, whom BLACK, FRANKFURTER DOUGLAS join, delivered following opinion. 16 Isserman results being adjudged Dennis, 183 201, found pursuant among counsel him, others, jail. Appeals, while counts charging count. questions law affirmed. 17 Disciplinary proceedings instituted York, full hearing, again sustained. A committed adequate offense. However, must contrary.1 18 While expressed different views merits charges, each adheres former expressions, are agreed withholding Court's decree 19 Primarily because these contempts, Isserman. 1925. time conviction, extenuating circumstances small fine temporary deemed punishment crime.2 Five asking question called disclosure appearing standing Under circumstances, think can attach weight derelication. 20 accept itself doctrine per se formerly held, Marshall, lawyer even though district action—'* mean sufficient cause, serious character; consider authorised punish contempts court.' Ex parte Tillinghast, Pet. 108, 109, 798. remedy courtroom prompt direct proportioned severely punished. His penalty included rare lawyers' contempts—a substantial sentence. 21 recall previous instance, venturing assert none, where merely contempt.3 know occasions when without brought question. sufficiently illustrate refer tactics William M. Tweed. Those eminent lawyers deliberately concert attack qualifications Presiding Judge Noah Davis, bias prejudice. end trial, pronounced Tweed, Davis declared Not lawyers, apparently, subjected disciplinary consequence judgment. Among them Elihu Root, later become respected American lawyer-statesmen, and, Willard Bartlett, destined Appeals. These excused penalty, beyond lecture seniors rebuke perhaps more humiliating than sentence.4 One participated certainly chief architects, David Dudley Field. He elected president Bar Association.5 22 hue cry both Communist defendants. respectability requires expulsion. lament frighten legal profession dare discharge clients. common neither. defending accused Communists, men performing legitimate profession, leave man defender charged crime. duty, went bounds tolerable adversary system. For this, paid heavy penalty. 23 If correction delinquent, defeat ruining reform. belated superfluous, find deterrent sentence, two-year disapproval profession? rests, proven offenses, atmospheric considerations general undesirability Communistic leanings affiliation, chance them. take On Justice, unexceptionable professional ability considerable. 24 case if stood entered deliberate plans lack support evidence, proven. What remains unplanned contumacious outbursts during long bitter trial. 25 Perhaps consciousness own patience makes unduly considerate failing tempers others contentious craft. permanently wholly deprive Isserman's life, dearly fault, impresses severity serve useful delinquent. N.J. 269, 87 A.2d 903. Journal June p. 222. 1: 'It counsellors private characters appear good.' Van Bever, 1940, 55 Ariz. 368, 101 P.2d 790; Leverson, 1935, 195 Minn. 42, 261 N.W. 480; Copren Bar, 1947, 64 Nev. 364, 833, 173 A.L.R. 284; Brown, 1932, 60 S.D. 628, 245 824; Board Law Examiners 1938, 53 Wyo. 77 626. set forth 416, page 430. 13, 457, See 1830, (1) federal, state, territorial offense felony jurisdiction conviction; (2) record, territorial.' 5(b), York. 279, 903, 907. Ibid. form require information prior suspensions admitted. required 2. reads: 140 A. 253, N.J.Misc. 146. John Peter Zenger, 1735, Judicature Province New-York 'having presumed (notwithstanding forewarned displeasure it) sign' file document questioning legality Judges' Commissions, peremptorily excluded names struck roll attorneys. Rutherford, 50; How.St.Tr. 683—684. Jessup, 80—93. Rogers, Leaders, 50.

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