Opinion ID: 1198957
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presumptively Appropriate Sanction

Text: Tanner settled a case without contacting his client, forged the client's signature, kept the settlement amount from the client, and then lied to an FBI agent about his activities. Tanner also pled guilty to false swearing, a felony requiring an intent to deceive. In accordance with that evidence, the lower court found that Tanner violated the Rules of Professional Conduct in multiple ways: (1) Rule 8.4(a)  violating the Rules of Professional Conduct through another's acts, (2) Rule 8.4(b)  committing a criminal act indicating dishonesty, (3) Rule 8.4(c)  being dishonest, and (4) Rule 8.4(d)  conducting oneself in a manner prejudicial to the administration of justice. Rule 4 of the Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions states: [4.2] Disbarment is generally appropriate when a lawyer: (a) knowingly engages in professional misconduct as defined in Rule 8.4(a),(d),(e), or (f) of the Rules of Professional Conduct with the intent to benefit the lawyer or another or to deceive the court, and causes serious or potentially serious injury to a party, the public, or the legal system, or causes serious or potentially serious interference with a legal proceeding; or (b) engages in serious criminal conduct, a necessary element of which includes intentional interference with the administration of justice, false swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, extortion, misappropriation, or theft. Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions R. 4.2. Because the trial court found that Tanner knowingly engaged in professional misconduct under rule 8.4(a) and that he pled guilty to false swearing, his actions clearly fell within the province of rule 4.2(a) and (b). Thus, the trial court correctly concluded that disbarment was the presumptively appropriate sanction for Tanner's behavior. As stated by the district court: This is a difficult case for the Court in light of the findings of misconduct. Tanner's misconduct adversely reflects on his honesty, trustworthiness and fitness as a lawyer and reflects badly upon the profession. The violations are grievous. Under the Rules violated, the Court would have to find much more in mitigation to depart from disbarment.