Opinion ID: 2546336
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presumptive sanction for conversion

Text: The act of knowing misappropriation consists simply of a lawyer taking a client's money entrusted to him, knowing that it is the client's money and knowing that the client has not authorized the taking. People v. Varallo, 913 P.2d 1, 11 (Colo.1996) (quoting In re Noonan, 102 N.J. 157, 506 A.2d 722, 723 (1986)). Neither the lawyer's motive in taking the money, nor the lawyer's intent regarding whether the deprivation is temporary or permanent, are relevant for disciplinary purposes. Id. at 10-11. Respondent took funds belonging to both the Wickliffe Estate and Ms. Pleas. He has failed to account for them and has failed to return them, despite repeated requests and a court order. This constitutes conversion. The presumptive sanction for knowing conversion of client property entrusted to an attorney is disbarment. ABA Standard 4.11 states: Disbarment is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly converts client property and causes injury or potential injury to a client. Suspension is normally reserved for misconduct, such as commingling funds, that does not amount to misappropriation or conversion of funds for the attorney's own use. ABA Standard 4.12 (commentary). Likewise, the Colorado Supreme Court has indicated that lawyers are almost invariably disbarred for knowing misappropriation of client funds. Varallo, 913 P.2d at 11; People v. McGrath, 780 P.2d 492, 493 (Colo.1989) (the Court would not hesitate to enter an order of disbarment if there was no doubt that the attorney engaged in a knowing conversion of his client's funds); In re Thompson, 991 P.2d 820, 823 (Colo.1999); People v. Lavenhar, 934 P.2d 1355 (Colo.1997); People v. Lefly, 902 P.2d 361 (Colo.1995); People v. Young, 864 P.2d 563 (Colo.1993) (conversion of clients' funds warrants disbarment even absent prior disciplinary history and despite cooperation and making restitution).