Opinion ID: 1194898
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: panel's findings of fact

Text: Attorney misconduct must be established by substantial, clear, convincing, and satisfactory evidence. In re Wilkinson, 251 Kan. 546, 554, 834 P.2d 1356 (1992). This court has the duty in a disciplinary proceeding to examine the evidence and determine for itself the judgment to be entered. In re Carson, 252 Kan. 399, 406, 845 P.2d 47 (1993). Although the panel's report is advisory only, it should be given the same dignity as a special verdict by a jury, or the findings of a trial court, and will be adopted where amply sustained by the evidence, or where it is not against the clear weight of the evidence, or where the evidence consists of sharply conflicting testimony. 252 Kan. at 406. Therefore, this court should examine the disputed findings of fact and determine whether they are supported by the evidence. The respondent contends that many of the findings of fact made by the panel were contrary to the evidence presented. He claims that these misstatements were material to the panel's decision. The first finding of fact to which the respondent takes exception is paragraph 2. The respondent contends that the matter started in 1991, not 1993, as found by the panel. The respondent claims that Little contacted him for help in 1991 but the tenants were not located until 1993. However, the respondent's assertion was not made to the panel and conflicts with his own statement to the panel that it took him at least 3 months to find tenants before the lease began in 1994. The panel's finding in paragraph 2 is supported by clear and convincing evidence. The respondent contends that paragraph 3 in the panel's final report is not supported by the evidence. We agree. Disregarding Exhibit F because it is hearsay, it becomes impossible for this court to determine the fee arrangement between the respondent and his client. The evidence of record does not establish the fee arrangement between the parties or the amount earned by the respondent. The respondent also takes exception to paragraph 4, which states that he failed to forward Little's portion of the funds which the panel found to be $2,100 after the subtraction of $200 for attorney fees. The respondent contends that his attorney fees were greater than $200. The evidence does not establish an agreement between the respondent and Little for a $200 attorney fee. The only evidence of such a fee is Exhibit F, which was not admissible. While clear and convincing evidence does not support the panel's finding as to the exact dollar amount of the fee, clear and convincing evidence does establish that [r]espondent did not forward Ms. Little's portion of the funds to her until after the disciplinary proceeding was commenced. The respondent next takes exception to paragraph 5, stating that contrary to the paragraph, Little did not repeatedly contact him but only once asked for her money. We agree that there is no clear and convincing evidence establishing repeated contacts. The only evidence that the respondent was contacted repeatedly by Little is found in Little's letter to Butaud, which should not have been admitted. The respondent takes exception to paragraph 6, contending that Little was not threatening and was merely upset at being unable to reach him. He admits that he sent her the promissory note in order to document the call and the need to finish her case. The respondent admits in his testimony that Little demanded her money. His letter to Little also substantiates some of the findings contained in paragraph 6. We conclude that the findings contained in paragraph 6 are supported by clear and convincing evidence. The respondent also complains about findings contained in paragraphs 9 and 10. He contends that contrary to the assertions in these paragraphs that he did not provide copies of his monthly trust account to the investigating attorney, he entered into a stipulation with the investigating attorney whereby he agreed to stipulate to certain facts and admit his failure to keep timely records. The evidence shows that the respondent did send a letter to the investigating attorney stating, It appears as though I have failed to keep as complete records of my trust account funds as I should have and failed to render a full accounting in writing of the disposition of Ms. Little's funds. With regard to the respondent's assertion that he did not fail to provide copies of his trust account but was excused from doing so because of a stipulation with the investigating attorney, the respondent's position has merit. Kevin Moriarty, the investigating attorney in this case, was not called as a witness. Even though the respondent's records were eventually subpoenaed, the respondent's testimony concerning the stipulation is unrebutted. On the evidence presented, there is insufficient evidence to support a conclusion that the respondent failed to produce the records when requested. The respondent also disputes the panel's findings of factors in aggravation. He first contends that contrary to paragraph 2 of the findings in aggravation, he did not overtly take his client's money. However, based upon the respondent's own admission, he did withdraw for his personal use a portion of the funds belonging to his client. Clear and convincing evidence establishes that the respondent violated the provisions of MRPC 1.15 and 8.4. The respondent also disputes paragraph 3, concerning pattern of conduct. He contends that this case began in 1991 and so predates his earlier disciplinary cases. However, the respondent fails to realize that his violations were of a continuing nature and although the case began either in 1991 or 1993, he continued to withhold the money until January 13, 1996. This continuing violation, along with his two prior informal admonitions and two previous orders of public/published censure, as well as his indefinite suspension for conduct occurring in 1993, more than supports the panel's finding of a continuing pattern of conduct. The respondent disputes the panel's finding in paragraph 5 that he intentionally refused to provide documentation to the investigating attorney as stated in the paragraph. As noted above, there is insufficient evidence on this point in that the investigating attorney did not testify and the respondent himself testified that while he initially failed to provide the statements as requested, he entered into a stipulation making such provision unnecessary. Finally, the respondent contends that the panel erred in finding under paragraph 7 that his client was elderly. He notes that the client was 55 years of age in 1991. The only mention in the hearing of Little being elderly was during the Deputy Disciplinary Administrator's argument, where she stated, This was an elderly woman who was out of state. No evidence was introduced concerning Little's age. There is no clear and convincing evidence supporting the panel's finding, and it is not considered in our determination of the appropriate sanction. Based upon our consideration of the record, we conclude clear and convincing evidence establishes that the respondent violated the provisions of MRPC 1.15 and 8.4. The record does not establish that the respondent violated MRPC 1.5. We also conclude that the panel was correct in its findings that clear and convincing evidence did not establish violations of MRPC 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, or 1.16 or Supreme Court Rule 207. The respondent contends that because of the admission of improper evidence, the report of the hearing panel should be set aside. He has filed numerous motions attacking the final report of the panel. The Disciplinary Administrator has responded to all motions and has filed requests for consideration of additional evidence. We deny all motions and requests filed in connection with this proceeding. We agree that the erroneous admission of the hearsay by the panel warrants our conclusion set forth above that certain findings by the panel are not supported by clear and convincing evidence. However, the respondent's assertion that the final report should be set aside is without merit. We, like the panel, agree that the evidence of record does not support the request of the Disciplinary Administrator for disbarment. However, based upon our findings and conclusions, we are convinced that indefinite suspension is warranted. In reaching this conclusion we have considered the respondent's past record of two prior admonitions, two public/published censures, and one indefinite suspension. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Kenneth P. Seck be and he is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the State of Kansas commencing on the date of this opinion. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent shall forthwith comply with Supreme Court Rule 218 (1997 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 235) and pay the costs of this action, and that this order be published in the official Kansas Reports. LOCKETT and LARSON, JJ., not participating. GARY W. RULON, J., and RICHARD W. WAHL, Senior Judge, assigned. [1]