Opinion ID: 2573333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Panel's Recommended Sanction

Text: Based upon the above-stated factual findings, the hearing panel determined Respondent violated KRPC 1.1, KRPC 1.3, KRPC 1.4, KRPC 1.15, KRPC 3.3, KRPC 5.5, KRPC 8.1, KRPC 8.4, and Kansas Supreme Court Rule 207. The panel found the Disciplinary Administrator failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent violated KRPC 3.2 (2008 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 525) (expediting litigation). In addition, the panel declined to find Respondent violated Supreme Court Rule 208 (2008 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 307) (attorney registration), as it would be duplicitous to the finding he violated KRPC 5.5 (2008 Ct. R. Annot. 565). From those determinations, the panel recommended a 1-year suspension, based on the following discussion and analysis: In making this recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel considered the factors outlined by the American Bar Association in its Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (hereinafter `Standards'). Pursuant to Standard 3, the factors to be considered are the duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, the potential or actual injury caused by the lawyer's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating or mitigating factors.  Duty Violated. The Respondent violated his duty to his clients to provide competent and diligent representation. Additionally, the Respondent violated his duty to his clients to provide reasonable communication. Further, the Respondent violated his duty to the public and to the profession to maintain his personal integrity and comply with orders of the court.  Mental State. The Respondent knowingly violated his duties.  Injury. As a result of the Respondent's misconduct, the Respondent caused actual injury to his clients and to the legal profession.  Aggravating or Mitigating Factors. Aggravating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may justify an increase in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, found the following aggravating factors present:  Dishonest or Selfish Motive. The Respondent's misconduct before Judge Powell was motivated by dishonesty. Providing false responses to questions posed by a District Court Judge is serious misconduct.  A Pattern of Misconduct. Included in this case are four complaints. Three complaints involve similar misconduct. Accordingly, the Respondent engaged in a pattern of misconduct.  Multiple Offenses. The Respondent violated KRPC 1.1, KRPC 1.3, KRPC 1.4, KRPC 1.15, KRPC 3.3, KRPC 5.5, KRPC 8.1, KRPC 8.4, and Kan. Sup.Ct. R. 207. As such, the Respondent committed multiple offenses.  Vulnerability of Victim. [D.V.] and [F.S.] were referred to the Respondent through Kansas Legal Services. Kansas Legal Services is a statewide non-profit organization, dedicated to helping low income Kansans. As such,[D.V.] and [F.S.] were vulnerable to the Respondent's misconduct.  Substantial Experience in the Practice of Law. The Kansas Supreme Court admitted the Respondent to practice law in 1986. At the time the Respondent engaged in misconduct, the Respondent had been practicing law for more than 18 years. Accordingly, the Hearing Panel concludes that the Respondent had substantial experience in the practice of law at the time he engaged in the misconduct.  Indifference to Making Restitution. To date, the Respondent has made no effort to make restitution to [D.V.] and [F.R.] for the unearned legal fees. Mitigating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may justify a reduction in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, found the following mitigating circumstances present:  Absence of a Prior Disciplinary Record. The Respondent has not previously been disciplined.  Personal or Emotional Problems if Such Misfortunes have Contributed to a Violation of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. During the hearing on the Formal Complaint, the Respondent testified that he has suffered from depression for some time. According to the Respondent, his depressed state contributed to the misconduct. No evidence was offered to corroborate the Respondent's testimony.  The Present and Past Attitude of the Attorney as Shown by the Respondent's Cooperation During the Hearing and the Respondent's Acknowledgment of the Transgressions. The Respondent fully cooperated in the disciplinary process as exhibited by his complete acknowledgment of the misconduct.  Remorse. At the hearing on the Formal Complaint, the Respondent expressed genuine remorse. In addition to the above-cited factors, the Hearing Panel has thoroughly examined and considered the following Standards: `Suspension is generally appropriate when: (a) a lawyer knowingly fails to perform services for a client and causes injury or potential injury to a client; or (b) a lawyer engages in a pattern of neglect and causes injury or potential injury to a client.' Standard 4.42. `Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knows that false statements or documents are being submitted to the court or that material information is improperly being withheld, and takes no remedial action, and causes injury or potential injury to a party to the legal proceeding, or causes an adverse or potentially adverse effect on the legal proceeding.' Standard 6.12. `Suspension is appropriate when a lawyer knowingly violates a court order or rule, and there is injury or potential injury to a client or a party, or interference or potential interference with a legal proceeding.' Standard 6.22. `Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed to the profession, and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the public, or the legal system.' Standard 7.2.