Opinion ID: 1577462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: analysis

Text: Rule 10(I) provides that if no answer is filed within the time limited therefor, the matter may be disposed of by the court on its own motion or on a motion for judgment on the pleadings. We determine that the requirements of rule 10(I) have been satisfied, and therefore, we grant the relator's motion for judgment on the pleadings. The failure of a respondent to answer the formal charges subjects the respondent to a judgment on the formal charges filed. See State ex rel. NSBA v. Mahlin, 252 Neb. 985, 568 N.W.2d 214 (1997). We conclude that by virtue of respondent's conduct, respondent has violated the following provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility: DR 1-102(A)(1), DR 2-110(A)(2) and (3), DR 6-101(A)(3), DR 7-101(A)(2), DR 7-106(A), DR 9-102(A), and DR 9-102(B)(3) and (4). We further conclude that respondent has violated the attorney's oath of office. See § 7-104. We have stated that `[t]he basic issues in a disciplinary proceeding against a lawyer are whether discipline should be imposed and, if so, the type of discipline appropriate under the circumstances.' State ex rel. NSBA v. Frank, 262 Neb. 299, 304, 631 N.W.2d 485, 490 (2001) (quoting State ex rel. NSBA v. Brown, 251 Neb. 815, 560 N.W.2d 123 (1997)). Neb. Ct. R. of Discipline 4 (rev.2001) provides that the following may be considered by the court as sanctions for attorney misconduct: (1) disbarment; (2) suspension for a fixed period of time; (3) probation in lieu of suspension, on such terms as the court may designate; (4) censure and reprimand; or (5) temporary suspension. With respect to the imposition of attorney discipline in an individual case, we have stated that `[e]ach case justifying discipline of an attorney must be evaluated individually in light of the particular facts and circumstances of that case.' Frank, 262 Neb. at 304, 631 N.W.2d at 490 (quoting State ex rel. NSBA v. Rothery, 260 Neb. 762, 619 N.W.2d 590 (2000)). For purposes of determining the proper discipline of an attorney, this court considers the attorney's acts both underlying the events of the case and throughout the proceeding. Frank, supra ; State ex rel. NSBA v. Freese, 259 Neb. 530, 611 N.W.2d 80 (2000); State ex rel. NSBA v. Denton, 258 Neb. 600, 604 N.W.2d 832 (2000). To determine whether and to what extent discipline should be imposed in a lawyer discipline proceeding, this court considers the following factors: (1) the nature of the offense, (2) the need for deterring others, (3) the maintenance of the reputation of the bar as a whole, (4) the protection of the public, (5) the attitude of the offender generally, and (6) the offender's present or future fitness to continue in the practice of law. State ex rel. Counsel for Dis. v. Hart, 265 Neb. 649, 658 N.W.2d 632 (2003); State ex rel. NSBA v. Gallner, 263 Neb. 135, 638 N.W.2d 819 (2002). We have noted that the determination of an appropriate penalty to be imposed on an attorney requires consideration of any mitigating factors. Id. Pursuant to the formal charges, to which respondent has failed to respond, respondent has engaged in conduct that has violated several disciplinary rules and her oath of office as an attorney. There is no record in the instant case of any mitigating factors. We have previously disbarred attorneys who, similar to respondent, had violated disciplinary rules regarding trust accounts, mishandled client funds, and failed to cooperate with the Counsel for Discipline during the disciplinary proceedings. See, State ex rel. Special Counsel for Dis. v. Brinker, 264 Neb. 478, 648 N.W.2d 302 (2002); State ex rel. NSBA v. Howze, 260 Neb. 547, 618 N.W.2d 663 (2000). We have considered the undisputed allegations of the formal charges and the applicable law. Upon due consideration, the court finds that respondent should be disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Nebraska.