Opinion ID: 2334029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: stronger proof of qualification required

Text: ¶ 13 Rule 11.4, RGDP, requires an applicant seeking reinstatement to present stronger proof of qualifications than one seeking admission for the first time. This proof must also be sufficient to overcome the Court's former judgment adverse to the applicant. This Court has established eight factors in determining fitness for reinstatement: 1) moral fitness, 2) demonstrated consciousness of the conduct's wrongfulness, 3) rehabilitation, 4) seriousness of the original offense, 5) conduct after resignation, 6) time elapsed, 7) character, maturity and experience at the time of resignation, and 8)present legal competence. In Re: Reinstatement of Massey, 2006 OK 21, ¶ 12, 136 P.3d 610, 614. ¶ 14 Based on testimony and letters submitted into evidence presented, the Petitioner has established her moral fitness. In her testimony, Ms. Cowley demonstrated extreme remorse, particularly for the clients she left hanging when she resigned. Ms. Cowley also expressed the desire to assist the Bar Association by sharing her experience with other young attorneys, illustrating further evidence of her rehabilitation. ¶ 15 While an attorney failing to fulfill her obligation as counsel and missing court dates is not to be taken lightly, it is clear that the Ms. Cowley did not willfully defraud or intentionally harm her clients in any way. Indeed, if the original charges against the her had proceeded through disciplinary proceedings, it is doubtful the punishment would have risen to the level of disbarment. State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Whitebook, 2010 OK 72, 242 P.3d 517 and State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Beasley, 2006 OK 49, 142 P.3d 410. ¶ 16 The evidence proves that Ms. Cowley used sound judgment in her activities following resignation. She exercised caution in avoiding situations that could have been perceived as the unauthorized practice of law. She has also worked to remain current in her knowledge of the law, earning 62.5 CLE credits since 2005. Ms. Cowley's youth and lack of experience in balancing a law practice appear to have contributed greatly to the factors leading to her resignation. Her work in the areas of legal research and writing illustrate Ms. Cowley's present legal competence.