Opinion ID: 2534822
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: 00-db-036 & 03-db-084 & 08-db-001

Text: The three sets of formal charges were consolidated for oral argument before a panel of the disciplinary board on July 30, 2009. On December 8, 2009, the disciplinary board filed its 76-page report in this court, recommending respondent be permanently disbarred. The report focused primarily on what the board determined to be the most egregious allegations of misconduct, namely respondent's theft of funds from Wanda Ward in 00-DB-036 and his unauthorized practice of law in the Stout matter in 08-DB-001. All of the remaining allegations were discussed in an appendix. [11] Regarding the Ward matter, the board noted the hearing committee was presented with conflicting evidence regarding respondent's relationship with Wanda and the services he performed. On one hand, respondent testified he performed personal services for Wanda, for which he was paid on retainer. On the other hand, the ODC's witnesses testified respondent used his position of familiarity with the Ward family to steal from Wanda, whom he knew had cognitive disabilities, without providing any meaningful professional services. Faced with these conflicting versions, the committee determined the more credible explanation was respondent stole nearly $80,000 from Wanda and otherwise charged her for legal services he never performed. The board found this determination is supported by the record, particularly considering that respondent was convicted of committing theft from Wanda. Thus, these facts have been conclusively proven against respondent. Likewise, with respect to the issue of respondent's unauthorized practice of law in the Stout matter, the board noted the hearing committee was faced with sharply conflicting versions of respondent's relationship with the Stouts and the services he was supposedly to perform. According to the Stouts, they hired respondent for $3,000 to serve as an attorney. According to respondent, he was hired merely to review documents and advise the Stouts whether they needed to hire an attorney. Faced with this conflicting evidence and testimony, the committee determined the more credible explanation was respondent engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and also charged the Stouts for legal services he never performed. The board found this credibility determination is not clearly wrong. In sum, the board determined respondent stole $78,875.88 from Wanda and charged the Stouts $3,000 for legal services when he was suspended from the practice of law. This conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.7(b), 1.8(a), 1.8(b), 1.14(a), 1.15, 1.16(d), 5.5(a), 8.4(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The board determined respondent violated duties owed to his clients, the legal system, and the profession. By its very nature, his conduct was knowing and intentional, and particularly as regards his theft from a disabled client, caused serious and substantial injury. Considering the ABA's Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, the baseline sanction for respondent's misconduct is disbarment. The board determined the following aggravating factors are present: a dishonest or selfish motive, indifference to making restitution, refusal to acknowledge the wrongful nature of the conduct, vulnerability of the victim, substantial experience in the practice of law (admitted 1974), and illegal conduct. The board found no mitigating factors are present. [12] Considering respondent's misconduct in light of the permanent disbarment guidelines and the prior jurisprudence of this court, the board recommended respondent be permanently disbarred. Respondent filed an objection to the disciplinary board's recommendation. Accordingly, the case was docketed for oral argument pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(G)(1)(b).