Opinion ID: 2549217
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Issue 3: What is the Appropriate Discipline?

Text: In light of Lober's admitted violation of Supreme Court Rule 207 and our determination that there is clear and convincing evidence of a violation of KRPC 1.4 and 8.1, we must next consider the appropriate discipline. To determine the appropriate discipline we must evaluate the nature of the duty violated, the attorney's mental state, the potential or actual injury caused by the misconduct, and the existence of aggravating or mitigating factors. ABA Compendium of Professional Responsibility, ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions § 3.0 (2003) (hereinafter ABA Standards). The discipline must be based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case, so other disciplinary actions provide little guidance. [Citation omitted.] Historically, we have applied the ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyers Sanctions as a guide for determining the appropriate discipline. In re Rumsey, 276 Kan. 65, 78, 71 P.3d 1150 (2003) (citing In re Wagle, 275 Kan. 63, 75-76, 60 P.3d 920 [2003]). See In re Kellogg, 274 Kan. 281, 292, 50 P.3d 57, 65-66 (2002); In re Wall, 272 Kan. 1298, 1308-11, 38 P.3d 640 (2002); In re Bailey, 268 Kan. 63, 65, 986 P.2d 1077 (1999); Internal Operating Rules of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys, E.3 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 307). In making a recommendation for discipline, the hearing panel determined that Lober had knowingly violated his duties and that his conduct had caused potential injury to Leach and actual injury to the legal profession. As aggravating factors, the panel considered that Lober had been disciplined on five previous occasions, that he had intentionally failed to cooperate during the disciplinary process, and that he had substantial experience in the practice of law (20 years). As mitigating factors, the panel considered that Lober's misconduct did not appear motivated by dishonesty or selfishness and that he had suffered a heart attack shortly before receiving the Disciplinary Administrator's letter and had reduced his work load as a result. The most significant aggravating factor is Lober's prior record of discipline. In 1994, the Disciplinary Administrator's office informally admonished Lober for having violated KRPC 1.3 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 328) (diligence) and KRPC 1.4 (communication). He was again informally admonished in 1996 for having violated KRPC 1.3 (diligence); KRPC 1.4 (communication); and KRPC 1.7 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 361) (conflict of interest: general rule). In 1998, this court placed Lober on probation for 2 years for the following violations arising out of four disciplinary complaints: KRPC 1.1 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 316) (competence); KRPC 1.3 (diligence); KRPC 1.4 (communication); KRPC 1.16 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 395) (declining or terminating representation); KRPC 3.1 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 406) (meritorious claims and contentions); KRPC 3.2 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 408) (expediting litigation); KRPC 3.3 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 411) (candor toward the tribunal); KRPC 4.1 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 426) (truthfulness in statements to others); KRPC 8.1 (bar admission and disciplinary matters); KRPC 8.4 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 449) (misconduct); and Supreme Court Rule 207. See In re Lober, 266 Kan. 404, 969 P.2d 885 (1998). Lober was on probation when Leach filed the complaint leading to this action. On two occasions in 2000, the Disciplinary Administrator's office informally admonished Lober for having violated KRPC 1.1 (competence); KRPC 1.3 (diligence); KRPC 1.4 (communication); and for two violations of KRPC 1.16 (declining or terminating representation). The ABA Standards provide for suspension in three circumstances which apply in this case, specifically, when a lawyer: (1) engages in a pattern of neglect and causes injury or potential injury to a client (Standard 4.42[b]); (2) knowingly engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed to the profession and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the public, or the legal system (Standard 7.2); and (3) has been reprimanded for the same or similar misconduct and engages in further similar acts of misconduct that cause injury or potential injury to a client, the public, the legal system, or the profession (Standard 8.2). As previously discussed, Lober's conduct in this case, which resulted in injury to his client and the legal system, was knowing. Additionally, Lober's prior discipline reflects a pattern of failing to communicate with clients and of knowingly failing to cooperate with disciplinary investigations. Prior admonitions and probation have apparently been ineffective in bringing an end to this behavior which harms clients and the legal system. Consequently, the court unanimously determines that a 1-year suspension is the appropriate discipline. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Terence A. Lober be and he is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the state of Kansas for a period of 1 year, commencing as of the date of this order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Terence A. Lober shall comply with Supreme Court Rule 218 (2002 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 279); at the end of the 1-year suspension, respondent will be reinstated upon furnishing proof of compliance thereof to the Clerk of the Appellate Courts. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this opinion be published in the official Kansas Reports and that costs be assessed against the respondent in the amount certified by the office of the Disciplinary Administrator. DAVIS, J., not participating. RICHARD D. GREENE, J., assigned. [1]