Opinion ID: 2590391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The PRT's Recommended Psychological Treatment

Text: ¶32 The PRT recommended that Kinsey's license to practice law be suspended for twelve months and that Kinsey be required to receive psychological treatment until she has gained maximum benefit to address the problems that led to her professional misconduct. The Bar Association offered to proceed under Rule 10 of the RGDP, but Kinsey declined the offer. Kinsey argued that the PRT was arbitrary in its recommendation of psychological treatment and that the PRT erroneously relied on In the Matter of Hyde, 1997-NMSC-064, 950 P.2d 806. ¶33 The facts in Hyde were that Hyde worked at a law firm and for two years in two civil cases he submitted false billing statements for legal work that he did not perform, neglected the interests of his clients, and misrepresented the work he performed. The Hyde court imposed an indefinite suspension with a minimum of one year and conditioned reinstatement on psychological treatment and clearance from the therapist that he had received the maximum benefit from his treatment. 950 P.2d at 810. We agree with Kinsey that psychological treatment similar to that ordered in Hyde is not supported by the evidence in the instant matter and reject the PRT's recommendation of psychological treatment. We do, however, agree with the Hyde court that the stresses of life are neither an excuse nor a mitigating factor for a lawyer's deceit: It was also suggested in mitigation that respondent's misconduct was an inappropriate and unfortunate response to pressures at home and at work that he could not handle. Indeed, it was undisputed in the proceedings below that respondent had been well-respected by his peers both within the firm and the larger legal community. These facts, however, do little more than make this occasion all the sadder. Respondent's deceit was not a one time lapse in judgment; rather, it was a pattern of dishonesty that continued for almost two years. The potential for harm to his clients was real and significant. Clients must be able to rely on their lawyers to protect their interests in legal proceedings. They must be able to believe what their lawyers tell them about their cases. By deceiving his clients and abandoning their interests in response to the undeniable pressures of being a young associate and a father, respondent harmed his clients, his firm, and ultimately, himself and his family. The lesson from this case should be clear: the pressures of the practice of law provide neither an excuse nor a mitigating factor for deceit. Dishonest conduct by lawyers will not be tolerated. 950 P.2d at 809 (citation omitted).