Title: In Re Shea
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: S-14014
State: Alaska
Issuer: Alaska Supreme Court
Date: May 18, 2011

In the Supreme Court of the State of Alaska In the Disciplinary Matter Involving Wevley William Shea ) ) Supreme Court No. S-14014 Order Order No. 72 ­ May 18,2011 ) ) ) ) ABA Membership No. 7705060 ABA File No. 2008D091 Before: Carpeneti, Chief Justice, and Fabe, Winfree and Stowers, Justices. [Christen, Justice, not participating.] The Disciplinary Board of the Alaska Bar Association, based on its adoption of an area hearing committee's findings of fact and conclusions of law and a final report of recommended sanctions, recommended that attorney Wevley William Shea be suspended from the practice of law for 25 months and be subject to certain conditions for reinstatement. Shea appealed that recommendation. We review disciplinary recommendations under Alaska Bar Rule 22(r).1 We independently review the record, but give great weight to the Disciplinary Board's findings of fact. 2 We apply our independent judgment to questions of law and the appropriateness of sanctions,3 "guided but not constrained by the American Bar Alaska Bar Rule 22(r) (stating that this court "will review findings offact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of discipline made by the [Disciplinary] Board"). 2 In re Cyrus, 241 P.3d 890, 892 (Alaska 2010). 3 Id. Association's Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions and by the sanctions imposed in comparable disciplinary proceedings."4 The Area Hearing Committee, and, by adoption, the Disciplinary Board, found by clear and convincing evidence that Shea violated Alaska Rules ofProfessional Conduct 1.9(a) (conflict of interest), 3.1 and 3.3 (false statements of fact in court pleadings), and 4.4 (unprofessional pleadings). After reviewing the record and giving due weight to the relevant findings of fact, we agree those violations were proved by clear and convincing evidence. The Area Hearing Committee, and, by adoption, the Disciplinary Board, recommended, in relevant part, that: (1) Shea be suspended from the practice of law in Alaska for 25 months; (2) prior to reinstatement, Shea be required to comply with Bar Rule 29( c)(1 );5 and (3) prior to applying for reinstatement, Shea be required to demonstrate that he has "the character and fitness to practice law by meeting the . . . requirements ofAlaska Bar Rule 2, Sec[ tion] 1 (d)," and "via evidence from a psychiatrist or psychologist, that [he] is mentally fit to return to the practice oflaw."6 Applying our independent judgment to the appropriateness ofthis sanction, we adopt the recommended discipline. 4 Id. at 893-94 (quoting In re Friedman, 2 P.3d 620, 625 (Alaska 2001)) (internal quotation marks omitted). 5 Alaska Bar Rule 2 9( c )( 1 ) provides that an attorney suspended for more than two years must petition for reinstatement and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that the petitioner "has the moral qualifications, competency, and knowledge of law required for admission" and that his "resumption of the practice ... will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the Bar, or to the administration ofjustice, or subversive ofthe public interest." 6 Alaska Bar Rule 2, Section 1 (d) sets out "character and fitness" standards for application to membership in the Bar. -2- ORD72 IT IS ORDERED that Wevley William Shea is suspended from the practice of law in Alaska for 25 months effective June 17, 2011, subject to the stated conditions for reinstatement. An opinion will follow. Entered at the direction of the court. Clerk of the Appellate Courts Marilyn M cc: Supreme Court Justices Trial Court Clerks of Court Publishers Distribution: Wevley William Shea Attorney at Law 329 F Street, Suite 222 Anchorage AK 9950 I Louise Driscoll Alaska Bar Association 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1900 Anchorage AK 99501 -3- ORD72