Opinion ID: 2584121
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Recommendation of Indefinite Suspension

Text: Trester contends the hearing panel's recommendation of indefinite suspension from the practice of law is too harsh. He argues that public censure would be an appropriate sanction for his misconduct. We note that when an attorney has been convicted of a felony offense, this court, with very few exceptions, imposes either suspension or disbarment as a sanction. In re Howlett, 266 Kan. 401, 403, 969 P.2d 890 (1998); see also In re Nelson, 255 Kan. 555, 563, 874 P.2d 1201 (1994) (citing several cases of attorney sanctions following felony convictions); see also Supreme Court 203(c) (2006 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 243) (requiring temporary suspension pending final disciplinary action if respondent has been convicted of a felony). Trester pled guilty to three felony theft charges. In postjudgment proceedings, the felony convictions were reduced to misdemeanors under California Penal Code § 17(b)(3) (West 2006), which grants judges the discretion to reduce the crime classification. The basis for the request was to avoid the automatic termination of Trester's Kansas law license. Pursuant to ABA Standard 3, the hearing panel considered the factors of the duty violated, Trester's mental state, the potential or actual injury caused by the respondent's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating and mitigating factors. Also, the panel considered these ABA Standards: Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly deceives a client, and causes injury or potential injury to the client. Standard 4.62. Disbarment is generally appropriate when: (a) a lawyer 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; or the sale, distribution or importation of controlled substances; or the intentional killing of another; or an attempt to conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit any of these offenses; or (b) a lawyer engages in any other intentional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation that seriously adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice. Standard 5.11. Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed to the profession, and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the public, or the legal system. Standard 7.2. The hearing panel recognized that federal agencies and federal courts may regulate practitioners appearing in such venues without reference to state licensing requirements. See Sperry v. State of Florida, 373 U.S. 379, 385, 83 S.Ct. 1322, 10 L.Ed.2d 428 (1963). The panel also recognized that at least one federal circuit court of appeals has held that a lawyer practicing only in federal court may maintain a law office without a state license. See Surrick v. Killion, 449 F.3d 520 (3rd Cir.2006). But the panel determined that these cases do not negate the fact that Trester has been convicted of the unauthorized practice of law. As correctly observed by the panel, if there was a defense to that charge, the time to have litigated the issue was during the California prosecution. Under Supreme Court Rule 202 (2006 Kan. Ct. R. 239), the time for Trester to litigate the issue has passed. Under our rules, we accept that Trester was engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Moreover, the fact that Trester can cite authority for his position that he was authorized to practice law in federal courts does not negate the fact that Trester's stationery, law office sign, and other representations to the public and to Friedman were deceptive indications that Trester could practice law in the state of California. The evidence was that Friedman was misled by these representations. Trester urges this court to consider the facts that he has completed his community service requirements, paid the ordered restitution, and has fully cooperated with the Disciplinary Administrator. He further adds that he has no prior disciplinary record and is remorseful for his misconduct. Trester has changed his business stationery, business cards, and office sign so that they no longer advertise that he is an attorney at law. Trester requests published censure. ABA Standard 4.63 states: Reprimand is generally appropriate when a lawyer negligently fails to provide a client with accurate or complete information, and causes injury or potential injury to the client. Given the serious nature of this case  three counts of theft related to Trester's practice of law  and the length of time Trester's deceptive behavior played out, we conclude a period of suspension would be more appropriate.  All lawyers, by virtue of their licenses, enjoy the status of officers of the court. That status brings with it the responsibility to refrain from conduct unbecoming such officers, to uphold the rule of law, and to enhance public confidence in that rule and the legal system set up to safeguard it. Pyle, 283 Kan. at 829-30, 156 P.3d 1231; see also In re Moore, 280 Kan. 971, 127 P.3d 270 (2006) (indefinite suspension; attorney's lack of diligence in client matters, failure to communicate with clients, conduct in making court appearances after her license had been suspended for failure to pay registration fee and annual continuing legal education fee, and failure to respond to lawful demands for information in attorney disciplinary proceedings); In re Hunter, 273 Kan. 1015, 46 P.3d 1199 (2002) (90-day suspension for engaging in authorized practice of law while respondent's license was suspended because of his failure to pay registration and CLE fees and to report CLE hours and failing to tell clients that his license was suspended); cf. The Florida Bar v. Kaiser, 397 So.2d 1132 (1981) (New York attorney practiced immigration and naturalization matters out of Florida; injunction was issued to prohibit attorney from advertising in telephone books, on television and in newspapers, regarding availability as an attorney, with implication of authorization to practice law in state, which constituted unauthorized practice of law); Attorney Grievance Com'n of Maryland v. Harris-Smith, 356 Md. 72, 737 A.2d 567 (1999) (attorney who was admitted to bar of federal district court in the state, but not state bar, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law; 30-day suspension). We note that, in effect, Trester has been suspended from the practice of law by the terms of his probation in the criminal case. According to the docket sheet submitted as an exhibit at the panel hearing, one of the conditions of probation imposed at the sentencing hearing on October 26, 2005, is that the defendant is not to practice law in the State of California whatsoever. Because Trester has not been practicing law, a majority of the court concludes that making the suspension effective as of the date of the criminal sentence is appropriate. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Irwin Trester be and he is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the state of Kansas. This order shall be retroactive to October 26, 2005. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Irwin Trester shall comply with Supreme Court Rule 218 (2006 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 314) and, if respondent seeks reinstatement, that he shall comply with Supreme Court Rule 219 (2006 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 327); that he shall demonstrate that he knows, understands, and is willing to comply with the Kansas Supreme Court rules; and that he is competent to engage in the active and continuous practice of law in this state. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this opinion be published in the official Kansas Reports and that respondent pay the costs of these proceedings. DAVIS, J., not participating. McANANY, J., assigned. [1]