Opinion ID: 6351441
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: respondent’s reputation

Text: Respondent offered in evidence 26 letters attesting to his good character. Four of the letters were from judges and they were excluded because they violate the provisions of Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration No. 1701(d). Quoting from the opinion of the hearing board, we adopt the following: “Respondent appears to be an honest, dedicated and hard working criminal lawyer who is not motivated by money, prestige or publicity, but rather approaches his cases as a personal challenge in the preparation, investigation and trial. It is noted that the thrust of the positive recommendations deal with the Respondent as a criminal lawyer and not necessarily as a lawyer involved in a heavy workload of civil cases. It is noted that the previous disciplinary proceedings, including the private reprimand in 1974 and the public censure in 1977, involved civil matters. It appears that Respondent had over extended his practice even in light of having other attorneys help him expedite his workload, thereby creating the negligence involved in the two matters currently before this Committee.”