Opinion ID: 2219273
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: On May 24, 2002, amended formal charges (formal charges) were filed by the office of the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court, relator, against respondent, Terrell R. Cannon. Five counts were alleged. The alleged facts surrounding each count are set forth below in this opinion. Respondent's answer disputed the allegations. A referee was appointed and heard evidence. The referee filed a report on November 25, 2002. With respect to count I, the referee concluded that respondent had engaged in misconduct and failed to act competently in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility, Canon 1, DR 1-102(A)(1) and (5), and Canon 6, DR 6-101(A)(2) and (3). With respect to count II, the referee concluded that respondent had engaged in misconduct and failed to act competently in violation of DR 1-102(A)(1), (4), and (5), and DR 6-101(A)(3). With respect to count III, the referee concluded that respondent had engaged in misconduct, paid for a recommendation of his services, improperly contacted prospective clients, and divided fees with a nonlawyer, in violation of DR 1-102(A)(1) and (2); Canon 2, DR 2-103(A); Canon 2, DR 2-104(A)(1), (2), and (3); and Canon 3, DR 3-102(A)(1), (2), and (3). With respect to count IV, the referee concluded that respondent had engaged in misconduct and charged an unwarranted fee in violation of DR 1-102(A)(1) and (4) and Canon 2, DR 2-106(A). With respect to count V, the referee concluded that respondent had engaged in misconduct, improperly withdrawn from representation, neglected a matter, and failed to represent a client zealously in violation of DR 1-102(A)(1) and (4); Canon 2, DR 2-110(A)(1) and (2); DR 6-101(A)(3); and Canon 7, DR 7-101(A)(2). The referee recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 2 years followed by 2 years' probation. Neither relator nor respondent filed exceptions to the referee's report, and relator filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings. In an order entered January 29, 2003, this court sustained in part, and in part overruled the motion. We adopted the referee's findings of fact, and we sustained that portion of the motion which sought a determination that respondent had violated the Code of Professional Responsibility provisions set forth in the formal charges. We overruled the relator's motion to the extent it sought the court's approval of the referee's proposed discipline, and we ordered the parties to submit briefs on the issue of the appropriate discipline to be imposed on respondent.