Opinion ID: 2538951
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Mumina's consciousness of his wrongful conduct, the disrepute his actions brought upon the legal profession, and the attorney's rehabilitation.

Text: ¶ 15 The basis of the Bar Association's allegations that Mumina has not taken full responsibility for his wrongdoing appears to center on the attorney having testified about certain stressors which were taking place at the time he committed his transgressions. Those instances include his wife being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and losing her job, feeling disappointed with his compensation package at the firm, and his child having attempted suicide because she did not have adequate attention from him in his role as a parent. At the same time, Mumina was attempting to finance a play, with monies from the bankruptcy estate of a nursing home, to save it from closing and the residents being relocated. [35] ¶ 16 The attorney did state that he believed all these factors had some impact on his actions. Nevertheless, when questioned about the monies taken from his firm and in his position as a trustee in bankruptcy, Mumina freely admitted that there was nothing right about him having taken the funds. [36] He stated that he breached a fiduciary duty and all trust with the firm when he took client monies as his own, that there was no doubt that he had done so. [37] When asked why he pled guilty to the indictment in federal court, he responded that he did so because he was guilty. [38] Although making full restitution will not necessarily preclude disbarment or insure reinstatement, [39] another factor which indicates the attorney's consciousness of the wrongfulness of his conduct is his restitution to the law firm and in the bankruptcy proceedings. [40] ¶ 17 Mumina understands the extent to which his actions harmed the legal profession and he is shamed by his misconduct. [41] While under suspension, Mumina spent time with law students and young attorneys. He spoke of his downfall and what he believed to be the cause of his actions and how he would suggest that the individuals avoid the pitfalls he faced. The attorney explained that he waited an extensive period of time before requesting reinstatement because he wanted to be certain that the factors he rationalized as a basis for his actions were no longer present in his life or were under control. [42] ¶ 18 The evidence demonstrates that Kumina realizes that his actions were wrong. He has taken full responsibility for those actions. The attorney has made full restitution to the law firm and in the bankruptcy proceedings. Rather than stand trial for an offense he knew he committed, he pled guilty and served his sentence in a federal facility. The attorney waited an extended period of time before attempting to be reinstated and worked on ensuring that he would not place himself in a position to commit similar acts in the future. He explained his downfall to those entering the legal profession in an attempt to help them to avoid similar pitfalls. All these factors combine to convince this Court that Kumina demonstrated consciousness of his wrongful conduct and the disrepute it brought upon the profession and that he has provided evidence of his rehabilitation.