Title: Matter of Ojala
Citation: 289 N.W.2d 108
Docket Number: 48635
State: Minnesota
Issuer: Minnesota Supreme Court
Date: November 2, 1979

289 N.W.2d 108 (1979) In the Matter of the Application for the Disbarment of William R. OJALA, an Attorney at Law of the State of Minnesota. No. 48635. Supreme Court of Minnesota. November 2, 1979. *109 Michael Hoover, Administrative Director on Professional Conduct, Lawyers Professional Responsibility Bd., St. Paul, for appellant. William R. Ojala, Gilbert, pro se. Heard, considered and decided by the court en banc. PER CURIAM. This case comes before the court on a petition for the discipline of William R. Ojala brought by the Administrative Director on Professional Conduct at the direction of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board (LPRB). Pursuant to Rule 14(a), Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility, the case was referred to District Court Judge Daniel F. Foley as referee. After the hearing on the matter the referee filed his findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation with this court. Neither respondent nor the Director ordered a transcript of the hearing within 5 days of the filing. Thus, pursuant to Rule 14(d), the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the referee are conclusive.[1]See In re Hetland, 275 N.W.2d 582 (Minn.1978). The petition for disbarment listed three complaints against respondent, and the referee found that all were supported by the evidence presented: Complaint 1. Failure to File Federal and State Income Tax Returns. The referee found that respondent had failed to file timely federal and state income tax returns for the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975, and 1976. The referee accepted respondent's explanation that the 1969-71 returns were not filed as a protest against the Vietnam War. Further, the referee felt that the 1969-71 delinquencies were closed questions because they have already been the subject of both state and federal disciplinary proceedings and had occurred before In re Bunker, 294 Minn. 47, 199 N.W.2d 628 (1972), was decided. In the Bunker case this court stated that failure to file income tax returns would, in the future, result in disbarment or suspension except where there are extreme extenuating circumstances. The referee concluded that respondent's failure to pay his 1975 and 1976 obligations in a timely manner justified imposition of discipline pursuant to the Bunker decision. Complaint 2. Failure to Cooperate with Disciplinary Authorities. In 1976, respondent was plaintiff's counsel in a personal injury case in which his two clients were initially awarded $11,500 and $5,000 by the jury. Defense counsel moved to reduce the $5,000 award, and the trial judge granted the motion over respondent's argument that the court then lacked jurisdiction due to a delay in filing the motion. Respondent appealed the case to this court and ultimately won in Bowman v. Pamida, Inc., 261 N.W.2d 594 (Minn.1977). Prior to this court's deciding the appeal, however, respondent was quoted in a newspaper article as saying he was told that a senior partner of the defense law firm had met with the trial judge over "drinks and dinner" and that the judge had agreed to reduce the amount of the verdict.[2] Further, respondent charged that this court would decide the appeal on the basis of politics and personal prejudice. As a result of the newspaper article, respondent was contacted by the LPRB in an effort to investigate the charges against the trial judge and the law firm. Respondent ignored four letters and a phone call requesting *110 his cooperation in contravention of Minnesota precedent and DR 1-103(B).[3] The referee found that respondent's refusal to cooperate with the Board of Professional Responsibility represented a prima facie violation of Disciplinary Rule 1-103(B). As a factual finding it cannot be disputed here, as no transcript was ordered by respondent. His defense to this charge is in part that only by going public could he have vindicated himself and his clients. The requirements of cooperation do not preclude a lawyer from publicly criticizing the Board or the judiciary. See State Board of Law Examiners v. Hart, 104 Minn. 88, 116 N.W. 212 (1908). Complaint 3. Acquisition and Publication of Documents Wrongfully Removed from a Law Office. During 1977 and 1978, respondent wrote a series of newspaper articles purporting to expose corruption in the legal system. Several of the articles were based on material stolen from the files of the law firm which respondent had opposed in the Bowman case, supra. Although respondent refused to answer questions concerning the source of the material, the referee found that respondent knew, or should have known, that the documents were stolen. The referee concluded that in acquiring and publishing the documents without consent respondent was subject to discipline for violating DR 1-102(A)(6).[4] Respondent would justify his use and publication of the stolen documents by the doctrine of the "public's right to know." We note that respondent is not charged with improperly criticizing the judiciary or other attorneys. The charge on this matter is that he engaged in conduct adversely reflecting on his fitness to practice law, conduct which indicates an outright disregard for the preservation of client confidences guaranteed by Canon 4 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. We see no constitutional bar to imposing discipline for the conduct so charged. Given his right to criticize the judiciary and other attorneys, there is no infringement of the First Amendment. See Police Department of Chicago v. Mosley, 408 U.S. 92, 92 S. Ct. 2286, 33 L. Ed. 2d 212 (1972). It is respondent's conduct as a lawyer in accepting materials from another lawyer's files which he knew or should have known were stolen and publishing them that is the basis for discipline.[5] We come then to the determination of the discipline warranted by respondent's misconduct. The referee gave thoughtful consideration to all of the relevant factors, and we rely heavily upon his cogent discussion: *112 Absent these mitigating circumstances, disbarment might well be required by respondent's misconduct. We are persuaded, however, as was the referee, that the imposition of disbarment would not serve the public interest in this case. Following the recommendation of the referee, we hereby indefinitely suspend William R. Ojala from the practice of law in this state for a period of not less than 3 years, with the added provision that a petition for reinstatement may be entertained 1 year from date or at any time thereafter, subject to the following conditions: 1. Full payment of any tax delinquencies and penalties owing for the tax years 1975 and 1976 to both the federal and state tax authorities; 2. Faithful and timely performance of all tax obligations for the interim years between suspension and petition for reinstatement; 3. That he engage in no conduct prohibited by the Code of Professional Responsibility during the period of suspension as an indication of his willingness to abide by the Code's obligations if and when he resumes the practice of law; 4. A sincere and private apology to the client whose affairs were published in the July 19, 1977, Gilbert Herald; 5. The return of any property, and any copies of any documents currently possessed by respondent belonging to the law firm of Trenti, Saxhaug, Berger, Carey and Roche. So ordered. [1] Rule 14(d) states: "The referee shall make findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations, file them with this Court, and notify the respondent and Director of them. Unless the respondent or Director within five days orders a transcript and so notifies this Court, the findings of fact and conclusions shall be conclusive. One ordering a transcript shall make satisfactory arrangements with the reporter for his payment. The reporter shall complete the transcript within 30 days." [2] The referee considered the specific charges made against the trial judge and the defense law firm and found them to be unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, the referee concluded that respondent did have a basis for his statements at the time he made them. [3] DR 1-103(B) states: "A lawyer possessing unprivileged knowledge or evidence concerning another lawyer or a judge shall reveal fully such knowledge or evidence upon proper request of a tribunal or other authority empowered to investigate or act upon the conduct of lawyers or judges." [4] DR 1-102(A) states: "A lawyer shall not * * (6) Engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law." [5] As we said in In re Scallen, 269 N.W.2d 834, 841 (Minn. 1978), "The dictates of the Code of Professional Responsibility follow an attorney wherever he or she may travel and govern the attorney's every activity."