Opinion ID: 2587576
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Propriety of recommended discipline

Text: The panel found one violation of SCR 170 (meritorious claims), one violation of SCR 172 (candor toward the tribunal), one violation of SCR 173(3) (fairness to opposing party and counsel: disobeying obligation to tribunal), one violation of SCR 173(6) (fairness to opposing party and counsel: request that witness refrain from providing information), four violations of SCR 182 (communication with represented party), one violation of SCR 203(1) (violation of the rules of professional conduct), one violation of SCR 203(2) (criminal act adversely reflecting on lawyer's fitness), two violations of SCR 203(3) (misconduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation), and five violations of SCR 203(4) (conduct prejudicial to administration of justice). As discussed above, we do not consider one of the SCR 182 violations, since Schaefer was representing himself in that instance. We also disregard two of the SCR 182 violations, the SCR 203(1) violation, the SCR 203(2) violation and four of the SCR 203(4) violations, as no such violations were charged in the complaint based upon the particular conduct relied upon by the panel. The panel also found that the aggravating factors of a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, and Schaefer's refusal to acknowledge the wrongfulness of his actions had been shown by clear and convincing evidence. We conclude that the record supports the panel's finding of aggravating factors. Multiple offenses have been shown, as has a pattern of misconduct. In addition, Schaefer steadfastly maintains that all of his conduct was permissible, and fails to acknowledge in any way that his conduct was wrongful. Schaefer's discipline history is of relevance in determining the appropriate sanction to be imposed, and it includes two public reprimands and a suspension. The first public reprimand was by this court in 1981 for taking a default without notice to opposing counsel even though counsel had appeared in the action, and for engaging in settlement discussions with a represented party without counsel's consent. Schaefer also received a public reprimand from this court in 1995, as reciprocal discipline based on a 1993 California order including numerous probationary conditions, for (1) willfully failing to maintain the respect due the courts by disobeying a United States District Court order of October 13, 1993; (2) making a threatening statement to opposing counsel; and (3) failing to safeguard a client's files after the termination of his representation. In 1998, Schaefer received a one-year stayed suspension from this court, with 30 days actually served, as reciprocal discipline for a 1997 California order, based on Schaefer's failure to comply with the probationary conditions imposed by the California court's 1993 disciplinary order.