Opinion ID: 2571660
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: ABA Standard for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions

Text: In making this recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel considered the factors outlined by the American Bar Association in its Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (hereinafter `Standards'). Pursuant to Standard 3, the factors to be considered are the duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, the potential or actual injury caused by the lawyer's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating or mitigating factors.  Duty Violated. The Respondent violated his duty to his clients to provide diligent representation and reasonable communication. The Respondent violated his duty to the legal profession to cooperate in disciplinary investigations.  Mental State. The Respondent knowingly violated his duties.  Injury. The Respondent's clients suffered actual injury as a result of the misconduct. Additionally, the legal profession suffered by the Respondent's misconduct.  Aggravating or Mitigating Factors. Aggravating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may justify an increase in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, found the following aggravating factors present: Pattern of Misconduct. This matter includes the complaints of eight clients. In each case, the Respondent failed to provide diligent representation and adequate communication. Because the Respondent repeatedly engaged in the same type of misconduct, the Respondent engaged in a pattern of misconduct. The Respondent also repeatedly failed to cooperate in the disciplinary investigations. Multiple Offenses. The Respondent violated KRPC 1.3, KRPC 1.4, KRPC 1.15, KRPC 1.16, KRPC 3.2, KRPC 8.1, Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 207(b), and Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b). As such, the Respondent committed multiple offenses. Bad Faith Obstruction. The Respondent failed to respond to requests for information made by the Disciplinary Administrator and the disciplinary investigator regarding the complaints filed by Mr. Porsch, Mr. Gawith, and Mr. Hendrickson. Additionally, the Respondent did not timely provide information to the Disciplinary Administrator and the Disciplinary Investigator regarding the complaints filed by Mr. Summers and Mr. Human. Refusal to Acknowledge Wrongful Nature of Conduct. The Respondent took responsibility for only a small portion of the misconduct committed. Vulnerability of Victim. Mr. Copes appears to be an intelligent, though unsophisticated, individual who counted on the Respondent to guide him through unfamiliar territory. He was particularly vulnerable to the Respondent's misconduct. Substantial Experience in the Practice of Law. The Respondent was admitted to the practice of law in the state of Kansas in 1984. At the time the misconduct began, the Respondent had been practicing law for fourteen years. The Hearing Panel concludes that the Respondent has substantial experience in the practice of law. Mitigating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may justify a reduction in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, found the following mitigating circumstance present: Absence of Prior Disciplinary Record. The Respondent has not previously been disciplined. Absence of a Dishonest or Selfish Motive. The Respondent's failure to tend to his client's needs was not prompted by any desire for self-gain. Personal or Emotional Problems. The flurry of complaints against the Respondent were filed during the same time period and a time when his life, both personally and professionally, were in complete upheaval. The stress of a hotly contested custody battle, for example, diverted the Respondent's attention to his own problems and away from the problems of his clients. Physical or Mental Impairment. At about that same time the complaints were filed against the Respondent, he was diagnosed as suffering from serious depression. The Respondent has also been diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder (`ADD') with hyperactivity. Both have affected his ability to stay `on task.' Interim Rehabilitation. Since being diagnosed with depression and ADD, the Respondent has sought, and continues to receive, counseling from a qualified therapist. He also takes prescription medication to alleviate the symptoms of both conditions. Finally, many of the domestic issues which the Respondent previously faced have been resolved. Remorse. The Respondent did express remorse for some of his actions and the problems they caused.