Opinion ID: 1997580
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Application of the Roundtree factors.

Text: In determining the proper sanction, our foremost concern is the need to protect the public, the courts, and the legal profession. Steele, supra, 630 A.2d at 200; In re Hutchinson, 534 A.2d 919, 924 (D.C.1987) (en banc); Reback, supra, 513 A.2d at 231. Although we have not yet undertaken to enunciate a precise standard as to when a fitness requirement should be imposed, ... our guidelines for evaluating petitions for reinstatement are instructive. Upon assessing a petition for reinstatement, we generally consider (1) the nature and circumstances of the misconduct for which the attorney was disciplined; (2) whether the attorney recognizes the seriousness of the misconduct; (3) the attorney's conduct since discipline was imposed, including the steps taken to remedy past wrongs and prevent future ones; (4) the attorney's present character; and (5) the attorney's present qualifications and competence to practice law. Steele, supra, 630 A.2d at 201 (quoting In re Roundtree, 503 A.2d 1215, 1217 (D.C.1985)). Application of the five Roundtree factors to the present case persuades us that Chisholm's reinstatement should be conditioned upon a showing of fitness, and that to permit a sanction which does not include such a requirement would be unwarranted within the meaning of D.C. Bar R. XI § 9(g)(1).