Opinion ID: 2573333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Did the hearing panel fail to make adequate findings of fact?

Text: Next, Respondent argues the panel should have made additional factual findings. He contends these facts would affect the panel's determinations concerning the aggravating and mitigating factors involved in this case when imposing discipline. But he does not argue there was insufficient evidence to support the panel's findings. Instead, he contends the panel failed to give enough weight to the evidence he believes is helpful to him. Specifically, Respondent argues the panel did not give appropriate emphasis to facts in the record that would demonstrate: (1) how he cooperated with the new attorney hired to defend the default judgment; (2) his hand delivery of a personal apology to Judge Powell; (3) his not appearing again in court after appearing in Judge Powell's court; (4) his returning some of the calls from clients and calls on behalf of clients; and (5) his speaking to the Disciplinary Administrator's investigator about the F.S. case, even though he did not submit a written response as required. But these facts were not material, and most were required of Respondent anyway. For example, Respondent cannot claim that ceasing his unauthorized practice of law after appearing before Judge Powell is a mitigating circumstance. He was bound by our rules not to practice law immediately after he was suspended for failing to comply with applicable CLE requirements. Similarly, he was obligated to cooperate with the Disciplinary Administrator's office. Supreme Court Rule 207(b) (2008 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 295). We find it reasonable not to give Respondent credit as a mitigating factor for simply doing what we expect from licensed attorneys, who already have agreed to follow the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct in order to practice their profession. But even if we were inclined to consider these additional facts as evidence as to whether Respondent attempted to rectify the consequences of his misconduct under Standard 9.32(d) (timely good faith effort to make restitution or to rectify consequences of misconduct), that would be countered by the panel's finding that Respondent was indifferent about making restitution to D.V. and F.S. This failure would legitimately overwhelm other mitigating factors and support the panel's recommendation. In re Walsh, 286 Kan. 235, 248, 182 P.3d 1218 (2008) ([T]he panel must consider the evidence presented with respect to aggravating and mitigating circumstances and determine how much weight to assign to each in arriving at an appropriate discipline.). As pointed out by the Disciplinary Administrator in his brief, it is obvious from reviewing the panel's hearing report that it was aware of the facts that Respondent believes mitigate his misconduct. The hearing panel simply did not give those factors as much weight as Respondent believes the panel should have given them. This court should not reweigh the evidence. 286 Kan. at 248, 182 P.3d 1218.