Opinion ID: 2621849
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: imposition of discipline/sanctions

Text: Given the seriousness of the misconduct and taking into account the aggravating and mitigating factors, the court finds that the sanction agreed upon by the parties  a three-year suspension  is appropriate. Furthermore, the court Orders that as a condition of reinstatement, Wiedman must demonstrate that there are no medical or psychological bases, including depression, that impair his abilities to fulfill all his responsibilities as an attorney. The court further Orders that upon reinstatement, Wiedman must comply with the financial, legal and psychiatric monitoring requirements as set forth in the following paragraphs of the stipulation. 1. Upon reinstatement to the practice of law, the following conditions involving financial monitoring shall be placed into effect: a. Wiedman will maintain the following minimum records as to all bank accounts instituted or utilized by Wiedman in any fashion whatsoever in the practice of law. 1. A separate bank account or accounts and, if utilized, a separate savings and loan association account or accounts, located in Colorado, in the name of the lawyer or law firm and clearly labeled and designated as trust account. 2. Original or duplicate deposit slips and, in the case of currency or coin, an additional cash receipts book, clearly identifying: (a) the date and source of all trust funds received; (b) The client or matter for which the funds were received. 3. Original cancelled checks, all of which must be numbered consecutively. 4. Other documentary support for all disbursements and transfers from the trust account. 5. A separate cash receipts and disbursements journal, including columns for receipts, disbursements, transfers, and the account balance, and containing at least: (a) The identification of the client or matter for which the funds were received, disbursed, or transferred; (b) The date on which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred; (c) The check number for all disbursements; (d) The reason for which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred. 6. A separate file or ledger with an individual card or page for each client or matter showing all individual receipts, disbursements, or transfers and any unexpended balance and containing: (a) The identification of the client or the matter for which trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred; (b) The date on which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred; (c) The check number for all disbursements; (d) The reason for which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred. 7. All bank or savings and loan association statements for all trust accounts. b. Wiedman will perform the following trust-accounting procedures: 1. Wiedman shall cause to be made monthly: (a) Reconciliation of all trust bank or savings and loan association accounts, disclosing the balance per bank, deposits in transit, outstanding checks identified by date and check number, and other items necessary to reconcile the balance per bank with the balance per the checkbook and the case receipts and disbursements journal; (b) A comparison between the total of the reconciled balances of all trust accounts and the total of the trust ledger cards or pages, together with specific descriptions of any differences between the two totals and reasons therefor. 2. At least annually, a detailed listing identifying the balance of the unexpended trust money held for each client or matter. 3. The above reconciliations, comparisons, and listing shall be retained for at least six years. c. Wiedman shall direct any bank or savings and loan association where Wiedman is a signatory on any bank account utilized in the practice of law to notify the Office of Attorney Regulation, 600 17th Street, Suite 200-South, Denver, Colorado 80202, in the event any law firm or trust account check is returned due to insufficient funds or uncollected funds, absent bank error. Further, if any such check is returned, Wiedman shall, likewise, notify the Office of Attorney Regulation. d. Wiedman shall file a written report with the Office of Attorney Regulation each year for a period of three years beginning one year from the date of the reinstatement order regarding the satisfactory maintenance of the financial aspect to respondent's law practice and demonstrating respondent's compliance with the conditions set forth above. The said report shall contain the certificate of a certified public accountant verifying that the procedures set forth above were followed and that an audit demonstrated no irregularities in the handling of the trust accounts. Said audit and report shall be conducted and complied with at respondent's sole expense. 2. An attorney approved by the Office of the Attorney Regulation shall review Wiedman's legal files and method of handling respondent's case load for a period of two years following Wiedman's reinstatement the practice of law. The review procedure shall be as follows: a. Wiedman shall demonstrate the existence of a workable reminder, or tickler system, and proof of a dual calendar system, or comparable case monitoring system, in respondent's office to the Office of Attorney Regulation within ninety (90) days of any order of reinstatement and shall, by the reports of the monitoring attorney, demonstrate that both the reminder system and the dual calendar system, or comparable case-monitoring system, is in existence and operating effectively. b. A case-load review meeting shall take place between the monitoring attorney and Wiedman on this schedule: (1) First six months: meeting once per month; (2) Second six months: meeting every other month; (3) Second year: meeting quarterly. c. At each meeting the following will take place: (1) Wiedman will prepare a list of current, active files, which files will be reviewed by the monitoring attorney, together with Wiedman. The monitoring attorney will take steps to verify that the list is complete. (2) The monitoring attorney will make, and Wiedman will write down, specific suggestions necessary to assure that the case load is being properly and professionally handled and that Wiedman is progressing in a satisfactory manner following respondent's reinstatement. (3) The monitoring attorney and Wiedman will review the list of suggestions from the previous meeting to be sure that all suggestions for improvement have been implemented and that Wiedman has complied with them. (4) The monitoring attorney shall have access to and monitor, to the extent he deems necessary, all financial accounts of Wiedman, including personal accounts, in order to assure that no commingling of funds occurs. d. Within ten (10) days following each meeting, Wiedman shall submit to the Office of Attorney Regulation a written report of the meeting, which report shall be signed by the monitoring attorney. e. The monitoring attorney shall immediately disclose to the Office of Attorney Regulation, 600 17th Street, Suite 200-South, Denver, Colorado 80202, any matters which are uncorrected or which represent significant problems requiring corrective attention. Copies of such correspondence shall be sent to Wiedman. 3. A mental health professional approved by the Office of Attorney Regulation shall monitor respondent's psychiatric and emotional adjustment to the practice of law for a period of two years. a. During the first six months, Wiedman shall meet with the mental health professional no less often than once every thirty (30) days, the first meeting to be within thirty (30) days of the order of reinstatement entered in this matter. Thereafter, Wiedman shall meet with the mental health professional no less often than once every three months. b. At the discretion of the mental health professional and upon notice to the Office of Attorney Regulation, respondent shall be required to meet at more frequent intervals should the then existing facts so warrant in the sole judgment of the mental health professional. c. Within ten days following each such meeting, Wiedman shall submit to the Office of Attorney Regulation a written report of the meeting, which report shall be signed by the mental health professional. d. The mental health professional shall immediately disclose to the Office of Attorney Regulation, 600 17th Street, Suite 200 South, Denver, Colorado 80202, any adverse data which in any fashion might effect respondent's ability to practice law in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct or the requirements of this recommendation. e. Wiedman shall execute a written authorization to release medical information and deliver the same forthwith upon reinstatement to the mental health professional to expedite the reporting requirements set forth herein. 4. Wiedman agrees that failure to comply with the conditions set forth above, including failure to make timely reports as hereinabove described, shall be cause for immediate suspension of his license to practice law pursuant to the procedures of C.R.C.P. 251.8, notwithstanding those causes listed in C.R.C.P. 251.8.