Opinion ID: 1743654
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Commission Report.

Text: As to Count I, the commission found that Mundy had violated DR 1-102(A)(1) (violation of disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(5) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), DR 1-102(A)(6) (conduct adversely reflecting on fitness to practice law), DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglect of client's legal matter), DR 7-101(A)(1) (failure to seek lawful objectives of a client), DR 7-101(A)(2) (failure to carry out contract of employment), DR 7-101(A)(3) (prejudice or damage to client during course of representation), DR 7-102(A)(8) (knowingly engaging in other illegal conduct or conduct contrary to a disciplinary rule), and DR 9-102(B)(4) (failing to promptly pay or deliver funds, securities, or other properties in lawyer's possession). As to Count II, involving the insufficient-funds checks, the commission found that Mundy's actions violated DR 1-102(A)(1), DR 1-102(A)(4) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation), as well as DR 1-102(A)(5) and DR 1-102(A)(6). The commission recommended that Mundy's license be suspended for three months. Further, as a requirement of readmission he should be required to show his fitness to practice law by including evidence from all health-care professionals who had treated him concerning his depression. The commission also recommended that Mundy be ordered to make restitution to the client security and continuing legal education commissions for the insufficient-funds checks. In Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Moorman, 683 N.W.2d 549 (Iowa 2004), we noted that when the neglect of a client's legal matter is the primary infraction, discipline generally ranges from a public reprimand to a six-month suspension. In determining the sanction to be imposed here, we consider the stipulation of the parties, which established that Mundy suffers from severe depression and is presently not practicing law. We also consider other cases involving lawyers with depression. In Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Maxwell, 705 N.W.2d 477, 480 (Iowa 2005), we stated that depression does not minimize the seriousness of an attorney's unethical conduct, but it is to be considered in the imposition of discipline. In Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Grotewold, 642 N.W.2d 288, 291 (Iowa 2002), we imposed a sixty-day suspension in a case involving a lawyer suffering from depression who neglected client matters, misrepresented a matter to the court, and failed to respond to the board. In Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Adams, 623 N.W.2d 815 (Iowa 2001), a lawyer suffering from depression had neglected legal matters, failed to deposit a retainer and advances into trust accounts, failed to account for client property, and misrepresented to the client to cover up neglect. We ordered a minimum three-month suspension, noting that the attorney was suffering from depression. In Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Sherman, 637 N.W.2d 183, 188 (Iowa 2001), the attorney had committed previous violations and was suffering from depression. We suspended his license for a minimum of three months and required that, upon application for reinstatement, he provide medical proof that he is mentally fit to resume the practice of law. In Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Paulos, 410 N.W.2d 260, 262 (Iowa 1987), we ordered a lawyer's license suspended for a minimum of six months. We required that upon application for reinstatement the attorney include satisfactory evidence that [he] is no longer suffering from any physical or emotional illness that would interfere with the timely completion of legal business entrusted to him. Based on the parties' stipulation, including Mundy's admission that he is currently under suspension in connection with his failure to effectively file his annual reports and that he is not psychologically fit to practice law at the present time, we believe that suspension is warranted. We agree with the commission that Mundy violated the disciplinary rules as set out above. Mundy and the board stipulated that a set three-month suspension is warranted, but we believe this should be a minimum. We therefore suspend his license for a minimum period of three months from the date of the filing of this opinion. This suspension shall apply to all facets of the practice of law. See Iowa Ct. R. 35.12(3). Upon any application for reinstatement, Mundy shall establish that he has not practiced law during the period of his suspension, that he meets all the requirements of Iowa Court Rule 35.13, that he has paid the costs of this proceeding, and that he has made restitution to the client security trust fund and the commission on continuing legal education for all sums owed to them. He shall also demonstrate by competent medical evidence that he is psychologically and mentally capable of practicing law. LICENSE SUSPENDED.