Opinion ID: 2509532
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Inexperience in the Practice of Law

Text: Respondent practiced law for approximately five years before he committed the misappropriation that is the subject of this case. However, he had practiced law for only roughly two years before taking on the role of managing partner. The Hearing Board finds that this exceedingly short timeframe left Respondent woefully unprepared to manage the business aspects of the firm while also performing his duties as trial attorney. More importantly, his inexperience and hubris led Respondent to believe he could handle all the financial responsibilities and that he needed no help in doing so. The Hearing Board notes, however, that [i]nexperience in the practice of law is of little or no importance as a mitigating factor when the lawyer's conduct is dishonest. In re Thompson, 991 P.2d 820, 823 (Colo.1999).