Opinion ID: 2626856
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Decisions of hearing officer and Board

Text: ¶ 8 The hearing officer found by a clear preponderance of the evidence that Keefe's delusional statements, paranoid thinking, and impaired ability to reason rendered him incapable of practicing law. He also found that Keefe was incapable of defending himself and assisting counsel in the defense of his disciplinary proceeding. The hearing officer thus recommended suspending Keefe and transferring him to disability inactive status. CP at 58. ¶ 9 The Board affirmed the hearing officer's recommendation in a nine-three decision. The majority found the record supported the hearing officer's conclusion that Keefe's mental status prevented him from offering the level of competence and skill required of a practicing attorney. Decision Papers at 31-35. The dissent argued the Board should have remanded for new proceedings because the procedural defects resulted in a nonadversarial proceeding. Id. at 37. Although the majority acknowledged the dissent's concerns about due process and the adequacy of Keefe's appointed counsel, it dismissed these issues because they resulted from Keefe's refusal to cooperate with counsel and failure to present a credible defense through examination by an independent mental health professional. A concurring opinion emphasized that Keefe may clarify his mental capacity by submitting to an independent mental examination. Id. at 36; see ELC 8.8 (explaining procedure for reinstatement to active status). Keefe appeals the Board's order.