Opinion ID: 2054882
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: estate matter

Text: On January 19, 1988, approximately three weeks after Ms. B's death, Larson wrote a letter to the Social Service Board stating that she would send the balance of Ms. B's checking account to them as soon as she resolved all loose ends of the estate. Fourteen months later on March 14, 1989, Larson wrote to the Social Services Board and informed them that she would send the balance of Ms. B's checking account, $674.84, to the Board the following day. The payment did not occur until a week later on March 22, 1989. Three days later, Larson wrote another letter to the Social Services Board which stated that, I find that I owe the above account [Ms. B's] the sum of $2,000. My check is being enclosed to pay same. When the Social Service Board requested that Larson provide an accounting, she failed to do so. As of the June 19, 1989, disciplinary hearing, Larson had yet to file an accounting. The hearing panel found that Larson violated the following provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility: Canon 1, DR 1-102(A)(4), (5), and (6) of the Code of Professional Responsibility, as follows: (A) A lawyer shall not: (4) Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. (5) Engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. (6) Engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law.       Canon 9, DR 9-102(A) and (B)(3) of the Code of Professional Responsibility, as follows: (A) All funds of clients paid to a lawyer or law firm, other than advances for costs and expenses, shall be deposited in one or more identifiable bank accounts maintained in the state in which the law office is situated and no funds belonging to the lawyer or law firm shall be deposited therein except as follows: (1) Funds reasonably sufficient to pay bank charges may be deposited therein. (2) Funds belonging in part to a client and in part presently or potentially to the lawyer or law firm must be deposited therein, but the portion belonging to the lawyer or law firm may be withdrawn when due unless the right of the lawyer or law firm to receive it is disputed by the client, in which event the disputed portion shall not be withdrawn until the dispute is finally resolved. (B) A lawyer shall: (3) Maintain complete records of all funds, securities, and other properties of a client coming into the possession of the lawyer and render appropriate accounts to his client regarding them.       Rules 1.2(A)(3) of the North Dakota Procedural Rules for Lawyer Disability and Discipline, as follows: (A) [Grounds for Discipline.] It is misconduct and grounds for disciplinary sanctions for a lawyer to: (3) Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. We review disciplinary proceedings against attorneys de novo on the record with the standard of proof being by clear and convincing evidence. Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court v. McKennett, 349 N.W.2d 29, 31 (N.D.1984). In reviewing the record, we accord due weight to the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing panel. Matter of Disciplinary Action Against Garcia, 366 N.W.2d 482, 484 (N.D.1985). However, this Court does not act as a mere rubber stamp approving the findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Board after a perfunctory review. Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court v. O'Neil, 326 N.W.2d 879, 882 (N.D.1982). In determining what discipline is warranted, each case must be decided on its own particular facts. O'Neil, supra, 326 N.W.2d at 882. In this case, Larson contends that she did not engage in any conduct which involved dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation. Larson argues that she did not intentionally convert $9,000 of Ms. B's funds for her own use. To the contrary, Larson contends she does not recollect writing the $9,000 check on Ms. B's account which was payable to herself. Although she concedes that the check was written, Larson argues that the check was a result of inadvertent error caused by lack of office staff, high work stress and personal and financial problems. In fact, Larson attributes all of her alleged professional misconduct to office, personal and financial problems. While we sympathize with Larson's personal and financial problems, we will not excuse her misconduct on account of them. This Court has previously stated that personal problems do not justify an attorney's failure to attend to matters entrusted to the attorney. Matter of Ellis, 439 N.W.2d 808, 810 (N.D.1989). We conclude that there is clear and convincing evidence to support the hearing panel's findings that Larson violated the aforementioned Rules of Professional Conduct. Particularly disturbing is the fact that Larson did not promptly reimburse Ms. B's account upon discovering the $9,000 transfer. It took Larson approximately one year to commence restitution payments to Ms. B, and over three and a half years to reimburse Ms. B for the full $9,000. We find such attorney conduct inexcusable. On the other hand, we are impressed with Larson's otherwise unblemished record which dates back to 1942. Under the circumstances, we find that there is little, if any, danger to the public from any possible repetition of her actions. We are satisfied that Larson's actions, while inexcusable, will not be repeated in the future. We hereby impose upon Larson a 90-day suspension from the practice of law commencing March 1, 1990. Pursuant to Rule 1.3(D) of the North Dakota Procedural Rules for Lawyer Disability and Discipline, Larson is ordered to pay for the costs of the disciplinary proceedings in an amount and in a manner to be determined by the Disciplinary Board. Finally, we note that Larson voluntarily agreed to pay interest on the use of Ms. B's $9,000. Such a remedy is equitable considering the interest income that Ms. B lost as a result of Larson's erroneous transfer. Thus, Larson is further ordered to pay to the estate of Ms. B interest on the $9,000 in an amount and in a manner as determined by the Disciplinary Board. ERICKSTAD, C.J., and GIERKE, VANDE WALLE, LEVINE and MESCHKE, JJ., concur.