Opinion ID: 1926278
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: ABA Standards Aggravating Factors

Text: Having determined as an initial matter that the circumstances of the present case warrant a public reprimand and the imposition of a period of probation, we now consider the existence of any aggravating or mitigating factors that might compel us to impose a greater or lesser sanction. ABA Standard 9.22 sets forth the following aggravating factors: 9.22 Factors which may be considered in aggravation. Aggravating factors include: (a) prior disciplinary offenses; (b) dishonest or selfish motive; (c) a pattern of misconduct; (d) multiple offenses; (e) bad faith obstruction of the disciplinary proceeding by intentionally failing to comply with rules or orders of the disciplinary agency; (f) submission of false evidence, false statements, or other deceptive practices during the disciplinary process; (g) refusal to acknowledge wrongful nature of conduct; (h) vulnerability of victim; (i) substantial experience in the practice of law; (j) indifference to making restitution; (k) illegal conduct, including that involving the use of controlled substances. In Reardon's case, the Board found the following to be aggravating factors: (i) Reardon's substantial experience in the practice of law; (ii) Reardon's commission of multiple offenses; (iii) Reardon's pattern of misconduct; (iv) the lack of any evidence of attempted restitution for injury caused to his clients; and (v) Reardon's prior disciplinary record. With the exception of the pattern of misconduct factor, we find record support for the Board's conclusions that each of these factors was an aggravating circumstance. [19] As noted, we do not find that these two acts of misconduct viewed in isolation are recognizably consistent acts sufficient to constitute the separate aggravating factor of a pattern of misconduct beyond the commission of multiple offenses factor already found by the Board. Moreover, even viewing these two acts in the broader context of Reardon's entire disciplinary history, we still cannot conclude that Reardon has engaged in a discernible pattern of misconduct during the course of his 35 year legal career.