Opinion ID: 1910048
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Recognition of the Seriousness of His Misconduct

Text: Respondent denied most of the misconduct that formed the basis of the charges in this matter, and in some important parts of the case, the Hearing Committee credited his testimony enough to conclude that serious charges of false statements to tribunals and dishonest conduct were not established by clear and convincing evidence. With respect to the charges that the Hearing Committee held were established by the evidence, we have no record on which to assess Respondent's recognition of their seriousness. His testimony concerning the changes in his practice that he has made while the disciplinary process has been pending gives some idea of his recognition of the seriousness of his misconduct, but one salient fact raises a serious question about the completeness of his efforts to reform his practice. As the Hearing Committee pointed out, even as the hearings . . . were ongoing, one of Respondent's current clients had an immigration hearing at which neither the client nor a back-up attorney appeared, leading the Immigration Judge to conclude that the client's matter had been abandoned. [14] HC Report at 44.