Opinion ID: 1136715
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: cooperation and contriteness of respondent

Text: The fact that respondent was cooperative with the Bar during its investigation should not have a bearing upon the mitigation of the numerous offenses. It was to his advantage to cooperate fully. Moreover, had he refused, it would have been another violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility subjecting him to further disciplinary action under DRA 1.1(i) and (j) as a willful violation of DRA 2.5. Accord, In re Robinson, 89 Wn.2d 519, 520, 573 P.2d 784 (1978). Further, we have noted on other occasions that repentance and contrition following the violation of an ethical duty, while commendable, do not constitute a defense and hardly mitigate the offense. In re Zderic, 92 Wn.2d 777, 600 P.2d 1297 (1979); In re Cary, supra ; In re Pennington, supra .