Opinion ID: 1708273
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: Both the Integration Rule, in effect at all times pertinent to this litigation, and the new Rules of Discipline distinguish between serious offenses and minor misconduct. [4] Under either definition of the rule, Weed's violations do not constitute minor misconduct, particularly since he was found guilty of dishonesty, fraud and misrepresentation. When deciding what punishment is proper in a bar discipline case, a number of interests are to be balanced. As stated in The Florida Bar v. Pahules, 233 So.2d 130 (Fla. 1970): First, the judgment must be fair to society, both in terms of protecting the public from unethical conduct and at the same time not denying the public the services of a qualified lawyer as a result of undue harshness in imposing penalty. Second, the judgment must be fair to the respondent, being sufficient to punish a breach of ethics and at the same time encourage reformation and rehabilitation. Third, the judgment must be severe enough to deter others who might be prone or tempted to become involved in like violations. 233 So.2d at 132. With all due respect to the referee, we do not feel that the sanctions he imposed strike the proper balance. The totality of Weed's misconduct is too severe for a public reprimand. See The Florida Bar v. Welty, 382 So.2d 1220, 1223 (Fla. 1980). Weed already has been publicly reprimanded for these misdeeds by the district court of appeal; what effect one way or the other a second public reprimand would have is questionable. There must be some other sanction. Weed has been found guilty of three separate instances of misconduct. He was admonished twice before by the district court of appeal for similar conduct. Weed was also privately reprimanded by this Court in 1978 for violating DR 6-101(A)(3). As noted in Florida Bar v. Vernell, 374 So.2d 473, 476 (Fla. 1979), this Court deals more severely with cumulative misconduct than with isolated misconduct. The minimum sanction for Weed's action should be a sixty-day suspension. We approve the referee's findings of guilt but we also find Weed guilty of three violations of DR 7-106(C)(7). We alter his recommended sanctions to the extent that John R. Weed is hereby suspended from the practice of law in this state for sixty days. The suspension shall begin thirty days from the date this order becomes final in order to give Weed an opportunity to wind up or pass on any client affairs as necessary. Weed shall accept no new business from the date of this opinion. The probationary terms and conditions imposed by the referee shall remain undisturbed. As the Bar made no mention of costs in its petition and offered no proof of same to the referee, there will be no costs assessed against Weed. McDONALD, C.J., and OVERTON, EHRLICH, SHAW, BARKETT, GRIMES and KOGAN, JJ., concur.