Opinion ID: 1632522
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdictional requirements addressed for reinstatement

Text: ¶ 7. As this Court has stated in the past, certain factors must be met prior to reinstatement: The petitioner must: (1) state the cause or causes for suspension or disbarment; (2) give the name and current address of all persons, parties, firms, or legal entities who suffered pecuniary loss due to the improper conduct; (3) make full amends and restitution; (4) show that he has the necessary moral character for the practice of law; and (5) demonstrate the requisite legal education to be reinstated to the privilege of practicing law. In re Benson, 890 So.2d, 888, 890 (Miss. 2004). Using these factors, this Court weighs Stewart's petition for reinstatement.
¶ 8. Stewart's petition for reinstatement identifies his guilty plea as the cause for his disbarment. The offense for which Stewart pleaded guilty was not only a felony conviction of extortion, but one which undermined the integrity of our legal system.
¶ 9. Stewart alleges that no person, party, firm, or legal entity suffered pecuniary loss due to his improper conduct. Miss. R. Disc. 12.7. However, there is the possibility, assuming Stewart's clients were guilty, that the State suffered pecuniary loss in the amount of the applicable fine. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-19-73(1) (Rev. 2007). See e.g., Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Gibson, 883 So.2d 1155 (Miss.2004) (court imposed fine equaling amount lost to municipality in fines and court costs); see also Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Hartzog, 904 So.2d 981, 986 (Miss.2004) (suspended judge fined costs incurred by county to employ interim judge). Stewart made no mention of this or any other potential costs to the community in his petition for reinstatement. He paid the fine and special assessment imposed by the federal district court and paid the full costs and expenses related to his disbarment. Miss. R. Disc. 12.7.
¶ 10. The petition for reinstatement indicates Stewart paid the $500 investigatory fee to the Bar, as well as his fine and special assessment arising from the underlying felony. Miss. R. Disc. 12.7. No determination has been made of any pecuniary loss incurred by the state.
¶ 11. The ultimate inquiry for this Court is whether Stewart has demonstrated sufficient rehabilitation in character and conduct for consideration of readmission: This Court's fundamental inquiry is whether the attorney has rehabilitated himself in conduct and character since the suspension was imposed. In re Mathes, 653 So.2d 928, 929 (Miss.1995). A firm resolve to live a correct life evidenced by outward manifestation sufficient to convince a reasonable mind clearly that the person has reformed is only required. In re Underwood, 649 So.2d 825, 828-29 (Miss.1995). In re Flautt, 890 So.2d 928, 930 (Miss.2004). ¶ 12. Stewart submitted his own affidavit in support of his petition for reinstatement. The Bar also deposed Stewart as part of its investigation of Stewart's Petition for Reinstatement. We subdivide the relevant information provided in his petition and testimony as follows:
¶ 13. Stewart testified that before he began serving his three-year probation period, he and his family moved from Oxford to Gulfport, Mississippi. As evidence of his rehabilitation, Stewart cites community service, church involvement, and accommodations provided by the hotel he manages. Stewart performed fifty hours of community service as part of his court-ordered probation at a Gulfport Catholic church of which he is not a member. He stated that he is actively involved with his own church and that he is especially involved with his Sunday school class. Stewart submitted letters of appreciation from: (1) a speaker at a continuing legal education seminar for consideration and assistance in hosting the seminar at the hotel; (2) the president of Mississippi Power Company for holding rooms open at the hotel for its employees after Hurricane Katrina; (3) a church's hurricane cleanup crew for the use of the hotel's pool; (4) the Bayou View Elementary PTA for a $500 donation; (5) the executive director of Beauvoir for a donation of rooms at the hotel for out-of-town visitors and restoration crews to Beauvoir; and (6) the executive director of the Harrison County Habitat for Humanity for hosting weekly pool parties at the hotel for its staff. He also submits a certificate of appreciation dated August 10, 2006, from the Sons of the American Revolution for outstanding support when the hotel hosted pool parties for them. Stewart provided little or no information regarding the nature or extent of his personal involvement in the listed events.
¶ 14. Since his disbarment, Stewart has not engaged in the practice of law. He has worked at the Holiday Inn owned by his wife both during and after his probationary period. Stewart did not have any open cases at the time of disbarment and had successfully transferred all existing clients to his former law partner.
¶ 15. Stewart submitted letters of recommendation from the chancellor of the University of Mississippi, one faculty member of the University of Mississippi, one faculty member of the Mississippi College School of Law, a retired chancellor, and six members of the Bar in support of his petition for reinstatement. [2] These letters speak highly of Stewart's family and personal character, and recommend without reservation Stewart's reinstatement. These letters relate additional activities Stewart undertook that demonstrate his good character, including hosting weekly cookouts for cleanup volunteers and hosting foreign students. After publishing Stewart's intention to seek reinstatement for public comment, the Bar received one letter supporting Stewart's petition from another lawyer and no letters in opposition.
¶ 16. The Bar states Stewart appeared mentally and emotionally stable at his deposition. He testified that he was not using, nor had he used, illegal or prescription drugs before or after his disbarment. He further stated that while stressed by the proceedings he had not been diagnosed with depression.
¶ 17. Stewart testified that he has not been arrested since the disbarment nor cited with any misdemeanor except for a single speeding ticket which he promptly paid. He stated that he is current with all debts and taxes, although he did file for bankruptcy prior to the disbarment. He has been sued by a former employee of the hotel who was implicated for embezzlement. Stewart has representation for this matter, and was unaware of the current status of the case. He was also privately reprimanded by the Mississippi Bar concerning unauthorized interactions of his former assistant and a client. The client was reimbursed all payments made to Stewart's firm. Stewart stated he has been rehabilitated because he self-reported his crime and cooperated with the FBI. He distanced himself from that same situation and moved to the coast before his probationary sentence began.
¶ 18. Stewart plans to represent himself in future business dealings with his hotel development business, and possibly work for another real-estate attorney. If not reinstated, he will continue to build hotels. Stewart submitted in his deposition that he should be reinstated because he would be a good example of someone who had erred ethically and was able to be rehabilitated and reinstated to the practice of law. Stewart submitted to the Bar that: I would like to be seen as a good example of how to really screw it up and how to come back the right way. The loss of honor is one thing, but I think people should know from my example that you don't have to stay outside. You can earn your way back in, and you should try. And even if it's not granted, you should still try. And hopefully that's what I've demonstrated.
¶ 19. Stewart attests that he has satisfied the fifth criteria of maintaining his legal skills by reading advance sheets of Mississippi opinions. He attended one probate continuing legal education seminar in 2005 and another general-law update seminar. He read internet websites which discuss Mississippi law, and read legal reporting in the newspaper. He passed the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam in 2007, with a scaled score not less than 80, which is required for reinstatement. We find Stewart's demonstrated legal learning to be modest, but not so lacking as to prevent reinstatement on this ground alone. [3]