Opinion ID: 1387318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Second Complaint

Text: As to Respondent's conduct with regard to Mr. A, the clear and convincing evidence establishes that Respondent engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation. He admitted that he committed two instances of fraud by sending the letter to the Georgia attorney stating a settlement was forthcoming when it had already occurred and in sending the letter to Mr. A about the trial date when a trial was not set. Although he allegedly did these pursuant to Mr. A's request, such is no excuse for clear acts of fraud and deceit. These actions and others violate Rule 8.4(c), supra. Respondent's actions further violated Rule 1.15(b), supra, in that he received funds in which his client, Mr. A, had an interest and failed to notify Mr. A of the funds and promptly deliver those funds to him. To make matters worse, Respondent acquired those settlement funds by practicing deceit on the insurance company and Mr. A. In addition, the insurance company entrusted Respondent with the settlement funds for a specific purpose, to wit, to pay Mr. A in exchange for a release of claims and dismissal of the lawsuit. Respondent did not apply it to that purpose, but rather, converted it for his personal use. His actions violate Rule 1.4(b), supra. These violations are serious enough in and of themselves to warrant disbarment. However, we note that Respondent's failure to properly keep the property of his client separate from his own property as well the failure to keep complete records of his trust fund accounts and transactions are violations of Rule 1.15(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Moreover, Respondent violated Rule 1.5(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct by failing to provide Mr. A with a written statement of the outcome of the contingency fee matter along with a receipt of remittance to Mr. A of his share. Furthermore, Rule 1.3 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings provides: The commission by any lawyer of any act contrary to prescribed standards of conduct, whether in the course of his professional capacity, or otherwise, which act would reasonably be found to bring discredit upon the legal profession, shall be grounds for disciplinary action, whether or not the act is a felony or misdemeanor, or a crime at all. Conviction in a criminal proceeding is not a condition precedent to the imposition of discipline. A conviction for criminal actions is not required before this Court may impose discipline on a member of the bar. This is true even for the most severe discipline of disbarment. Respondent's actions clearly bring discredit upon the legal profession. Not only has Respondent harmed his own clients and third persons, his conduct damages the reputation of all lawyers. The evidence establishes that Respondent violated Rule 1.3. Finally, as to Count II of the second Complaint, we find Respondent violated Rule 8.4(c), supra, in using dishonesty or misrepresentation to conceal his misconduct. The clear and convincing evidence further shows that Respondent violated Rule 5.2 by misrepresenting the facts in a disciplinary proceeding. It reads: After making such preliminary investigation as the General Counsel may deem appropriate, the General Counsel shall either (1) notify the person filing the grievance and the lawyer that the allegations of the grievance are inadequate, incomplete, or insufficient to warrant the further attention of the Commission, provided that such action shall be reported to the Commission at its next meeting, or (2) file and serve a copy of the grievance ... upon the lawyer, who shall thereafter make a written response which contains a full and fair disclosure of all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the respondent lawyer's alleged misconduct unless the respondent's refusal to do so is predicated upon expressed constitutional grounds. Deliberate misrepresentation in such response shall itself be grounds for discipline ... (Emphasis added).