Opinion ID: 2500511
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: stipulations and mitigation

Text: ¶ 17 Mitigating circumstances were found by the Bar, as outlined in the Joint Stipulations, admitted as Exhibit 20. These circumstances relate to Respondent's medical condition and circumstances in his personal life, including the death of his father in 2003, caring for his mother after his father's death, the legal duties associated with closing his father's estate, and later, the death of his mother in 2006. His medical condition, which he did not initially disclose to the Bar, was serious in nature. Between August, 2007, and July, 2011, he experienced a seizure disorder, emphysema, a lung abscess, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), hypertension, coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, positional vertigo, atrial flutter, and pneumonia. Testimony was received from Craig Key, Respondent's former law partner, that he remembers Respondent's condition to be serious as early as 2004. He stated he was concerned that Respondent may actually die as a result of it. ¶ 18 In the Trial Panel Report, the PRT found Respondent expressed extreme remorse for the way he handled Brenda's case and for his lack of communication with her family members. He was questioned about the Joint Exhibits which he offered with the Bar, containing his medical history, Exhibit 19. It was admitted at the Bar's request to substantiate for the trial panel what Respondent has been medically experiencing the last several years. The trial panel noted the mitigating stipulations included in Exhibit 20, starting with paragraph 5. [12] In its conclusions of law the trial panel noted the Respondent admitted to professional misconduct under Counts I, II and III. It also referred to the cases cited by the Bar relating to the mishandling of client trust funds. [13] The panel concluded that when Respondent made the statement he would obtain a copy of the transcript of Brenda's criminal trial, he was under the false impression he had paid for, and ordered, the transcript. The panel, referred to Dunlap I, which held that allowing a client trust account to fall below the amount being held on behalf of a client, without more, is also one of the less egregious forms of mishandling of client funds. Dunlap I, 880 P.2d at 368. The trial panel in this case distinguished Dunlap I and II, which dealt with a previously disciplined lawyer, noting this is Respondent's first instance of professional misconduct over a career spanning more than 34 years. ¶ 19 The trial panel noted that both the Bar and Respondent stipulated that Respondent should be issued a private reprimand by this Court and should be assessed the costs of these proceedings. The panel concluded, at paragraph 32: 32. The Trial Panel finds, based on the evidence presented and the totality of the circumstances herein, particularly the mitigating factors presented in this case suggest that Respondent is not likely to repeat his improper behaviors. Therefore the trial panel recommends the Respondent be issued a private reprimand by the Oklahoma Supreme Court; that he be required to refund $1,385.00 to the client for overpayment of fees and he be assessed the costs of these proceedings. ¶ 20 We agree with the trial panel's conclusion that Respondent was operating under the impression that the transcript had been purchased and ordered but not yet received. We believe that if he had inquired of the court reporter about the delay, he could have realized the transcript had never been ordered. However, there is no evidence that Respondent intentionally deceived Phillips or Bowen about ordering the transcript. We also find the evidence shows Respondent's trust account fell below $1650.00 due to sloppy bookkeeping practices and mismanagement through Respondent's improper delegation of the responsibilities for the trust account to someone besides himself and his lack of education on the proper procedures. This situation has apparently been corrected, with Respondent's resumption of control of the account and of reconciling the work done for his clients, appropriately billing against their retainers. This, in fact, occurred before Phillips filed the grievance. His participation in trust account school with Mr. Pickens of the Bar has obviously been instructive and beneficial to Respondent's law practice. The evidence supports the finding that it is unlikely Respondent will commit future infractions of Rule 1.15, ORPC, relating to the safekeeping of client funds.