Opinion ID: 2520583
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: amended opinion and order imposing sanctions

Text: On July 30, 2004, the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel (OARC) filed a Complaint against attorney Lawrence C. Rider (Respondent). Respondent answered the Complaint on September 1, 2004, admitting all factual allegations, but reserving the right to be heard on the issue of sanctions. On September 23, 2004, the People moved for judgment on the pleadings, which Respondent did not oppose. On September 24, 2004, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge (PDJ) granted the People's motion on the only Claim in the Complaint, violation of Colo. RPC 8.4(c), engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation. Thus, the only remaining issue is the appropriate sanction for the misconduct Respondent admits. On November 2, 2004, a Hearing Board consisting of Thomas J. Overton, a member of the bar, Frances L. Winston, a representative of the public, and William R. Lucero, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge, heard and deliberated on evidence presented under C.R.C.P. 251.18(d). Charles E. Mortimer, Assistant Regulation Counsel, represented the Office of Attorney Regulation (the People). E. Gregory Martin represented Respondent Lawrence C. Rider. The following witnesses testified on behalf of Respondent: former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Jean Dubofsky, District Court Judge Morris Sandstead, John R. Mehaffy, Esq., Lane Earnest, Esq., Martha Ridgway, Esq., and Pastor John Hess. The Hearing Board also heard and considered testimony from Respondent. In addition, Respondent offered and the PDJ admitted trial Exhibits A (a letter from James T. Dunn, the Complainant) and B (an affidavit from Melody Fuller, the President of the Boulder County Bar Association). The People presented no evidence. The Hearing Board considered the parties' Trial Briefs and oral arguments, their Stipulation of Facts, and the evidence presented at trial, including the credibility of witnesses. On January 3, 2005, the Hearing Board issued an Opinion and Order Imposing Sanctions in this case, disbarring Respondent Lawrence C. Rider from the practice of law in Colorado. In the Opinion, the Hearing Board specifically found, based upon the representation of the Parties, that Respondent had no prior discipline. Since that time, evidence of a prior private censure has surfaced. Consequently, the Parties jointly requested that the Hearing Board amend its Opinion to reflect the fact of prior discipline. Accordingly, this Amended Opinion and Order Imposing Sanctions is intended to replace the January 3, 2005 Opinion and Order Imposing Sanctions.