Opinion ID: 2590366
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Suspension in Consolidated Case Number 05PDJ035

Text: In consolidated case number 05PDJ035, Respondent admitted that he had represented Sun Hee Park in a liquor licensing matter and had prepared and filed a liquor license application on behalf of Chong Suk Rosbach. [2] Respondent also admitted that by knowingly engaging in the practice of law while under a prior order of suspension, his actions in representing these two clients violated Colo. RPC 3.4(c) and Colo. RPC 5.5(a). The Hearing Board notes that these rule violations are the same rule violations alleged by the People in the present complaint against Respondent. On August 24, 2005, consistent with the stipulation of the parties, the PDJ entered an Order Approving Conditional Admission of Misconduct and Imposing Sanctions Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 251.22 in consolidated case number 05PDJ035. This order incorporated an Agreement to Refrain from Practice of Law signed by Respondent in which he expressly agreed to refrain from the practice of law during the stipulated three-year period of suspension. The agreement defined the practice of law as follows: The practice of law includes but is not limited to an unlicensed person's or a suspended lawyer's actions as a representative in protecting, enforcing or defending the legal rights and duties of another and/or counseling, advising and assisting that person in connection with legal rights and duties. In addition, preparation of any legal documents for others as a suspended lawyer is the unauthorized and unlicensed practice of law. All of the aforementioned actions constitute the practice of law regardless of the forum, court, agency, administrative body or governmental agency in which such actions occur or to which they may be related (emphasis added). [3] Respondent also acknowledged that he would be in violation of the agreement if he engaged in any actions constituting the practice of law: The respondent specifically agrees to refrain from any actions constituting the practice of law in Colorado. Should the respondent engage in any actions constituting the practice of law while his license is suspended he shall be subject to contempt of court proceedings and he shall be in violation of the Stipulation, Agreement, and Affidavit Containing the Respondent's Conditional Admission of Misconduct and Affidavit Containing the Respondent's Conditional Admission of Misconduct in Case Number 05PDJ035 (Consolidated with 05PDJ048). [4] As stated above, the PDJ's order accepting Respondent's conditional admission of misconduct incorporated his written agreement. The PDJ specifically ordered the following: Respondent agrees to refrain from engaging in the practice of law unless he is under the direct supervision of another Colorado licensed attorney. Respondent signed an agreement attached as Exhibit D to the Stipulation. Respondent agrees any violation of this agreement shall subject him to contempt of court proceedings. [5] The Hearing Board finds that the agreement signed by Respondent and approved by the PDJ is consistent with Colorado Supreme Court case law defining the practice of law. [6] The agreement affirmed that Respondent had read, studied, and understood it. Based upon this record, the Hearing Board finds that Respondent knew that filing legal documents or giving legal advice or counseling another while suspended would be unauthorized and would therefore constitute a violation of a condition of his agreement to refrain from the practice of law.