Opinion ID: 1927280
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pennsylvania Bar Proceedings

Text: During the pendency of the Continental Bank litigation, Triffin began law school. He graduated from Nebraska College of Law in June 1990 and applied to sit for the July 1990 bar examinations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He then elected not to sit for the July 1990 New Jersey Bar Examination. On June 25, 1990, the Pennsylvania Board of Bar Examiners (Pennsylvania Board) refused to allow Triffin to sit for the examination because his application failed to establish the [a]bsence of prior conduct by the applicant which in the opinion of the Board indicates character and general disqualifications ... incompatible with the standards expected to be observed by members of the bar.... Specifically, the Pennsylvania Board was concerned with incidents relating to Triffin's bankruptcy. Triffin then requested a hearing before the Pennsylvania Board, which was scheduled for December 14, 1990. That hearing was postponed for several months because Triffin requested a stay pending the results of a federal lawsuit he filed against a number of people, including his former attorney Janssen, all seven justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the members of the Pennsylvania Board. Among other things, Triffin sought declaratory and injunctive relief against the justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the members of the Pennsylvania Board arising from the denial of his bar application. Specifically, he claimed that Pennsylvania Bar Association Rules 203(3) and 213(b) violate substantive and procedural due process. In May 1991, the district court denied Triffin's motion for a preliminary injunction. Triffin v. Pettit, No. 90-7882, 1991 WL 78288 (E.D.Pa. May 7, 1991). On June 19, 1991, the Pennsylvania Board held a hearing to determine Triffin's fitness to practice law. The hearing was continued over five subsequent sessions. On March 13, 1992, the Pennsylvania Board unanimously voted to deny Triffin's bar application. The Pennsylvania Board found the following misconduct by Triffin: (1) making false statements, including omissions; (2) acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; (3) abuse of legal process; (4) violation of orders of court; and (5) neglect of financial responsibility. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied Triffin's Petition for Allocatur and Review of the Pennsylvania Board's decision. Triffin reapplied for admission on March 17, 1993. In a letter dated March 23, 1993, the Pennsylvania Board rejected his second application and informed him of his right to appeal the Board's decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Rather than pursue that option, Triffin brought an action in federal district court challenging, among other things, the rules, customs, and practices of the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners and Disciplinary Board relating to consideration of persons reapplying for admission to the bar. On April 25, 1994, Triffin's complaint was dismissed with prejudice as to all defendants. Triffin v. Nix., No. 93-5519, 1994 WL 156695 (E.D.Pa. Apr. 26, 1994), aff'd 43 F. 3d 1463 (3d Cir.1994).