Opinion ID: 2106464
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: supplemental recommendation of the board on professional responsibility

Text: Pursuant to the Court's Order dated November 29, 1995, Petitioner has filed a statement addressing the issue of restitution. Petitioner proposes to make payments through the Office of Bar Counsel for the benefit of Claudia Borthwick in the amount of $10,500 over a period of seven years. She proposes to pay this in semi-annual payments of $750, commencing in June 1996. She also proposes that this amount be without interest and that she secure for seven years a life insurance and disability policy, payable to Ms. Borthwick in the amount of $10,500. Petitioner also invites the Court to offer any guidance as to such other amount or schedule as the Court may believe is fair and appropriate. The Board views Petitioner's proposal as reasonable and appropriate, under the circumstances of this case. Her offer is consistent with her past efforts to make restitution through her attorneys as well as through the bankruptcy process. The proposal is further indication that the Petitioner recognizes the seriousness of her misconduct and is interested in taking steps to remedy past wrongs. The original Petition for Reinstatement appeared to the Hearing Committee and the Board to fully satisfy the Roundtree factors. See In re Roundtree, 503 A.2d 1215, 1217 (D.C.1985). While there was discussion in the hearing of Petitioner's efforts at restitution, neither of the victims of Petitioner's misconduct participated in the hearing, and Petitioner's evidence at that time showed that she had made substantial efforts at restitution, although ultimately not successful through no apparent fault of her own. Since the time of the hearing in this matter, Ms. Borthwick has contacted the Office of Bar Counsel and raised the issue of restitution. Under these new circumstances and in light of the Petitioner's past efforts in this regard, the Board believes that the proposed plan for restitution is reasonable. The Board recommends that the Court grant Petitioner's Petition for Reinstatement as amended by her proposed plan of restitution.