Opinion ID: 1910993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: On June 24, 1975, respondent was duly admitted to the practice of law in the State of Nebraska and, at all times relevant, was engaged in the private practice of law in Omaha, Nebraska. On October 22, 1992, the Counsel for Discipline received a complaint against respondent from Tom Miller, a client. On November 9, respondent issued a check representing the net proceeds due Miller from a workers' compensation case and sent a copy of it by facsimile to the Counsel for Discipline. Respondent's trust account did not contain funds on that date sufficient to cover the check. On November 17, after respondent transferred funds to the trust account, the check was actually delivered to Miller. Respondent's testimony, given before the Committee on Inquiry of the Second Disciplinary District in February 1992 and March 1993, revealed respondent's trust account was out of balance, i.e., the balance was insufficient for the payment of funds due clients. The actions of respondent, as set forth above, constitute violation of his oath of office as an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska, as provided by Neb.Rev. Stat. § 7-104 (Reissue 1991), and are in violation of Canon 1, DR 1-102(A)(1) and (3) through (6), Canon 9, DR 9-102(A)(1) and (2) and (B)(1), (3), and (4) of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Respondent answered, admitting the factual allegation, but raising as defenses a psychological condition in mitigation and a procedural question of whether the Disciplinary Review Board has the power to file formal charges if the Committee on Inquiry has chosen not to. Two physicians testified that the mental condition of respondent was a proximate cause or proximate contributing cause of the conduct of respondent which led to the charges. Dr. Hudson Hsieh testified that he treated respondent who developed panic attacks that were first diagnosed in December 1989. Dr. Hsieh also testified that respondent favorably responded to Prozac. Dr. Bruce Gutnik reviewed the records of Dr. Hsieh and of Dr. Rodney Nichter, another psychiatrist who treated respondent, and the records of Priscilla Scott Thralls, a clinical social worker who counseled respondent. Dr. Gutnik concurred in Dr. Hsieh's diagnosis of chronic depression (dysthymia) and panic attack. Dr. Gutnik stated that the illnesses were a contributing proximate cause to respondent being out of trust. The evidence is undisputed that respondent first sought treatment in 1989, was without a bookkeeper for the first time in the fall of 1990, and later was out of trust. Medical personnel concurred that respondent's depression and panic disorder were a proximate cause of respondent being out of trust and not correcting the problem. Dr. Gutnik explained panic disorder to the committee, analogizing an attack to the feeling that one has when diving into deep water and then realizing there is insufficient air in one's lungs, the feeling that one experiences while thrashing toward the surface; these feelings are the same type of feelings an individual experiences during a panic attack. Both physicians, as well as numerous attorneys and judges, testified through affidavits that in their opinion respondent was fit to practice law. It is agreed that no other area of respondent's practice was affected.