Case Name: State of Nebraska ex rel. Nebraska State Bar Association, relator, v. Kevin L. Reiner, respondent
Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Nebraska
Decision Date: 1999-08-20
Citations: 257 Neb. 550
Docket Number: No. S-99-751
Parties: State of Nebraska ex rel. Nebraska State Bar Association, relator, v. Kevin L. Reiner, respondent.
Judges: Hendry, C.J., Wright, Connolly, Gerrard, Stephan, and McCormack, JJ.
Reporter: Nebraska Reports
Volume: 257
Pages: 550–551

Head Matter:
State of Nebraska ex rel. Nebraska State Bar Association, relator, v. Kevin L. Reiner, respondent.
599 N.W.2d 199
Filed August 20, 1999.
No. S-99-751.
Hendry, C.J., Wright, Connolly, Gerrard, Stephan, and McCormack, JJ.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
Respondent, Kevin L. Reiner, was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Nebraska on September 17,1987.
As a result of an investigation by the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska State Bar Association pertaining to two complaints, respondent filed a consent to order of temporary suspension to practice law on December 18,1998. An order suspending respondent from the practice of law until further order of the Nebraska Supreme Court was filed on December 22, 1998.
The investigation of respondent was in response to a complaint received by the Counsel for Discipline on October 14, 1998, from the Honorable Richard P. Garden, district court judge for the Seventh Judicial District in Nebraska, alleging that respondent had filed an affidavit in the case Sandstedt v. Lukken, Knox County District Court, case No. 12620, in which the signature of the notary public was forged. The investigation also examined a complaint received by the Counsel for Discipline on October 8 from attorney Frank Haverkamp, opposing counsel in Sandstedt v. Lukken, alleging that respondent had purported to settle the same case to avoid trial but that it thereafter appeared that respondent was without authority to do so.
On July 2, 1999, respondent filed a voluntary surrender of license to practice law. Therein, respondent admits that the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska State Bar Association received letters of complaint from Haverkamp and Judge Garden, described above, and further states that for the purpose of his voluntary surrender of license, he does not desire to contest such allegations or to participate in a formal hearing regarding such allegations.
Respondent further admits in his voluntary surrender of license that he was convicted on May 11, 1999, in the circuit court for the First Judicial Circuit in the county of Yankton, South Dakota, of the felony of making an offer of forged or fraudulent evidence and, as reflected on the exhibits attached to the voluntary surrender of license, sentenced accordingly.
Respondent states in his voluntary surrender of license that he does not desire to contest that he violated his oath of office as an attorney. Respondent has freely and voluntarily consented to the entry of an order of disbarment and has waived his right to notice, appearance, or hearing prior to entry of such an order.
On the basis of the foregoing, the Supreme Court concludes that respondent has violated his oath of office as an attorney and Canon 1, DR 1-102, and Canon 7, DR 7-102, of the Code of Professional Responsibility. The court, therefore, accepts respondent's surrender of his license to practice law and orders him disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Nebraska, effective immediately. Respondent shall forthwith comply with Neb. Ct. R. of Discipline 16 (rev. 1996), and upon failure to do so, he shall be subject to punishment for contempt of this court.
Judgment of disbarment.
Miller-Lerman, J., not participating.