Opinion ID: 1205832
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the richards matter

Text: The final four causes of complaint involve the dealings of the accused with Dr. Richards, a client of the accused against whom a civil judgment had been rendered. Evidence before the trial panel discloses that the accused filed a notice of appeal in behalf of his client. Dr. Richards forwarded to the accused $50,000 for a supersedeas bond to forestall execution of judgment pending appeal. The accused did not file the bond, though he told Dr. Richards that he had. Instead, the accused withdrew $19,500 from Dr. Richards' trust account and converted it to his own use. The bond was never filed and, after two notices to the accused, the Court of Appeals allowed the opponent's motion to dismiss the appeal. The money was withdrawn in three increments during November and December 1983. In each case, the accused wrote a check on Dr. Richards' account, signed it and deposited it into his general account. The first withdrawal, $7,000, went to pay two obligations of the accused. The second withdrawal, for $10,000, cured a default on the accused's house. The third withdrawal was for $2,500, but the accused does not remember how he used it. In each case the accused stated that he was aware that he was taking Dr. Richards' money and that it did not belong to him. In the fall of 1984, the accused returned $32,000 to Dr. Richards. A balance of $18,000 apparently still is owing. As a result of the foregoing conduct, the Bar charged the accused, and the trial panel found him guilty of violating the following disciplinary rules: DR 1-102(A)(3), which provided: [11] A lawyer shall not: Engage in illegal conduct involving moral turpitude. Dr 1-102(A)(4), two counts, which provided: [12] A lawyer shall not: Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. DR 9-102(A), which provided: [13] All funds of clients paid to a lawyer or law firm, other than advances for costs and expenses, shall be deposited in one or more identifiable bank accounts maintained in the state in which the law office is situated and no funds belonging to the lawyer or law firm shall be deposited therein except as follows: DR 9-102(B)(3) and (4), which provided: [14] A lawyer shall: Maintain complete records of all funds, securities, and other properties of a client coming into the possession of the lawyer and render appropriate accounts to his client regarding them. Promptly pay or deliver to the client as requested by a client the funds, securities, or other properties in the possession of the lawyer which the client is entitled to receive. As in the previous cause of complaint, the accused also admitted violation of DR 1-103(C), as quoted above. On these charges, two members of the trial panel recommended disbarment. The third member filed a dissenting opinion wherein he recommended a stayed suspension of three years with three years probation under certain specified conditions.