Opinion ID: 2339581
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: report and recommendation for suspension

Text: THIS MATTER came before the Board of Professional Responsibility pursuant to the Stipulated Motion of Bar Counsel and Respondent for Suspension of Respondent. The Board, having reviewed the Stipulated Motion and Respondent's affidavit in support thereof, FINDS, CONCLUDES and RECOMMENDS as follows: 1. Respondent has been licensed to practice law in the State of Wyoming since 1977, and has recently retired from the practice of law. Other than the instant proceeding, Respondent has not been the subject of any professional discipline. 2. The above-captioned disciplinary proceeding was instituted in 2006 as a result of a report to Bar Counsel that Respondent had appeared in court under the influence of alcohol. Respondent acknowledged that he had an alcohol problem and entered into a diversion contract with the Wyoming State Bar which required Respondent to be monitored by the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program (WPAP) for a period of five years. 3. The diversion contract was amended in 2007. The amended diversion contract provided, In the event that Respondent breaches the WPAP agreement which is then a breach of this Amended Diversion Contract and/or in the event that there is verified information (by urinalysis, breathalyzer, or other medically accepted test for alcohol by consumption) that Respondent has consumed alcohol at any time, Respondent agrees to an immediate suspension for six months. 4. During 2010, Respondent was twice convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. Also during 2010, concerns were expressed to Bar Counsel by persons associated with the Fremont County court system that Respondent was not adequately representing his clients in court proceedings. Similar concerns were received by Bar Counsel from clients of Respondent. 5. Bar Counsel's investigation of these matters led to the filing of a petition for interim suspension, which was granted by the Wyoming Supreme Court, pending the resolution of a formal charge. 6. Following the Order of Interim Suspension, a formal charge was filed in which it was alleged that Respondent had breached the amended diversion contract, and that Respondent's conduct also constituted a breach of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 8.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law. 7. Because Respondent has retired from the practice of law, he does not desire to contest the formal charge. Respondent has stipulated to a one year suspension of his license to practice law in the State of Wyoming.