Opinion ID: 1860370
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Factual and Legal Findings

Text: Having disposed of the procedural objections, we now review the record to determine if the charges against respondents have been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The critical issue for purposes of our inquiry is whether respondents were employed by Mr. Locklear, such that their failure to disclose this employment resulted in a violation of Rule 8.1. Respondents have repeatedly denied that they were employed by Mr. Locklear, asserting that they were never paid by him. The hearing committee found this defense to be insincere, unconvincing, and wholly incredible. [6] Based on the overwhelming evidence of employment in the record, we find the committee's assessment to be entirely accurate. In addition to the employment contract with Mr. Locklear, which is signed by both Mr. and Mrs. Stamps, the record contains copies of six checks issued by Mr. Locklear to Mr. Stamps, three checks issued by Mr. Locklear to Mrs. Stamps, and one check issued by Mr. Locklear to respondents jointly. With one exception, each of the checks bears a notation indicating it was payment for a client matter. Additionally, the ODC produced copies of correspondence written by Mr. Stamps to Mr. Locklear, in which he stated that while employed as associates with your firm, we worked on six cases for Billy Blackwell. This correspondence was corroborated by testimony from Mr. Blackwell, who stated unequivocally that he consulted with both Mr. and Mrs. Stamps regarding legal matters. Considering the overwhelming evidence, it simply flies in the face of logic and common sense for respondents to assert that they did not believe they were employed by Mr. Locklear. Respondents' failure to disclose their employment with Mr. Locklear on their bar applications or supplement their applications to reveal it leads to the inescapable conclusion that they knowingly sought to withhold this information from this court. We further find that the record convincingly demonstrates that respondents' failure to disclose their employment prevented this court from obtaining access to information which had a significant bearing on their character and fitness-namely, whether they engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while working in the law office of Mr. Locklear. The evidence suggests an investigation would have clearly revealed both Mr. and Mrs. Stamps engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in North Carolina. With regard to Mr. Stamps, as noted earlier, the record contains copies of five checks issued to him by Mr. Locklear, four of which contain notations relating to fees for client matters. Mr. Blackwell testified that he met with Mr. Stamps concerning legal matters and was led to believe that Mr. Stamps was an attorney. Mr. Stamps' own correspondence to Mr. Locklear identifies Mr. Stamps (and his wife) as associates with your firm and discusses work done on Mr. Blackwell's legal matters. As to Mrs. Stamps, the testimony of Mr. Blackwell, Mr. Williams, Ms. Capps, and Dr. Sabella all demonstrate that Mrs. Stamps gave the clear impression that she was a licensed attorney. The record includes correspondence drafted and signed by Mrs. Stamps on behalf of Mr. Locklear's law firm. These letters identify Mrs. Stamps as Esq., a title commonly used by lawyers. In summary, based on the overwhelming evidence, we conclude that in connection with the bar application process, respondents knowingly concealed from this court information relating to their employment. This failure to disclose prevented this court from discovering information regarding their unauthorized practice of law in another state, an issue which has a critical bearing on their character and fitness.