Opinion ID: 836006
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: January Hearing

Text: The Bar contends that the accused made the following material false statements under oath at the January hearing by testifying that: (1) the judge who presided over the November hearing had not asked him if he had contacted Conner or Conner's lawyer; (2) he had not told the judge at the November hearing that the confrontation between Conner and Boxberger had occurred the weekend before the November hearing; (3) the judge at the November hearing had not told the accused that the accused needed to schedule a hearing immediately; and (4) the judge at the November hearing had not ordered Vu and Nguyen to post a bond in the amount of $1,000. The accused responds that his confusion at the January hearing, and his failure to recall accurately his exchange with the judge at the November hearing falls short of a misrepresentation under DR 1-102(A)(3). As noted, the trial panel found that the accused made a misrepresentation at the January hearing when he testified that the judge at the November hearing had not asked him if he had contacted Conner or Conner's lawyer. As we have explained, the accused was under oath when he testified at the January hearing. Fowlks asked him, Did [the judge] ask you if you contacted the defendant or his attorney prior to appearing ex parte? The accused responded, No. The accused did not testify, as he now claims, that he could not remember what the judge had asked him at the November hearing or that he needed to have his recollection refreshed. Rather, he testified that the judge had not asked him if he had notified the other side. Thereafter, Fowlks played a tape recording of the November hearing. When confronted with what the judge had asked him about having contacted Conner or Conner's lawyer, the accused offered no explanation for his previous answer to Fowlks's question, such as claiming that he had been confused in answering Fowlks's question or otherwise should be excused for the misstatement. The accused knew that his false statement was material, because he knew that whether the accused had told the truth at the November hearing was relevant in determining whether the restraining order should be set aside. We conclude that the accused knowingly made a false statement under oath at the January hearing and that, in doing so, the accused violated DR 1-102(A)(3) and (4). [10] Finally, we turn to the Bar's contention that the accused violated DR 7-110(B)(2) and (3), which provide: In an adversary proceeding, a lawyer shall not communicate, or cause another to communicate, as to the merits of the cause with a judge or an official before whom the proceeding is pending except:      (2) In writing if the lawyer promptly delivers a copy of the writing to opposing counsel or to the adverse party if the adverse party is not represented by a lawyer; (3) Orally upon adequate notice to opposing counsel or to the adverse party if the adverse party is not represented by a lawyer. This court has explained that the purpose of DR 7-110(B) is to prevent the appearance or the effect of granting undue advantage to one party. In re Smith, 295 Or. 755, 759, 670 P.2d 1018 (1983). The Bar argues that the accused was not entitled to deprive Conner or his lawyer of notice that he intended to appear ex parte, and that the accused communicated with the court on the merits of a cause when he presented the affidavit and proposed order to the court without providing copies of the documents to Conner or Fowlks. The accused concedes that he made a mistake when he relied on his domestic relations experience and failed to consult the applicable rules of civil procedure regarding notice and service before applying for the injunction and restraining order. In the accused's view, his mistaken assumption that he was not required to provide notice or to deliver a copy of his motion to the other side means that he did not act with a culpable mental state and, therefore, did not violate DR 7-110(B). We disagree with the accused that, because of his mistaken reliance on his understanding of domestic relations restraining orders in a matter involving a boundary dispute and his failure to consult the correct rules of procedure regarding notice before requesting the order, he did not violate DR 7-110(B). First, the accused, like everyone else, is presumed to know the law. See In re Devers, 328 Or. 230, 241, 974 P.2d 191 (1999) (so stating). Moreover, as we have explained, the purpose of DR 7-110(B) is to prevent the appearance or the effect of granting an undue advantage to one party. Smith, 295 Or. at 759, 670 P.2d 1018. The appearance or effect of undue advantage occurs regardless of the mental state of a lawyer who fails to comply with the requirements of the rule. Although, as we explain later in this opinion, an accused's mental state is relevant in assessing the appropriate sanction for a violation of that rule, a mistaken belief that the lawyer was not required to provide notice or service is not a defense to a charge under DR 7-110(B). See Eadie, 333 Or. at 59, 36 P.3d 468 (holding misplaced reliance on statute to excuse service not defense to violation of DR 7-110(B)). In this proceeding, the accused's only defense to the Bar's charge under DR 7-110(B) is that he did not intend to violate the rule. He concedes that he should have notified Conner or Fowlks before he requested the restraining order. We agree with the trial panel that the accused violated DR 7-110(B)(2) and (3) in the Vu matter. In sum, we conclude that the Bar failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence its charges against the accused in the Mantow and Parrish matters. With respect to the Vu matter, we conclude that the Bar proved by clear and convincing evidence that the accused violated DR 1-102(A)(3), DR 1-102(A)(4), and DR 7-110(B)(2) and (3). We turn to the question of the appropriate sanction. As noted, the trial panel concluded that the accused should be suspended from the practice of law for nine months. The Bar argues for at least a nine-month suspension, while the accused believes that a public reprimand is the appropriate sanction.