Court Opinion

ID: 9724496
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:58:51.067851+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:01.313723
License: Public Domain

Justice DICKSON
dissenting.
Notwithstanding the fact that this case is before us on a Conditional Agreement for Discipline, I believe that the basis of the public reprimand, the respondent’s unconditional request to his clients to consider withdrawing of their grievance, did not violate Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(d).
The request to consider withdrawing the grievance was part of the respondent’s letter specifically responding to his clients’ *122request for clarification of legal issues. Not only did the respondent’s reply address his clients’ questions, in it he also unconditionally waived their unpaid legal fees of approximately $8,000.00, and he agreed to end his representation of them, as they requested. This response by the respondent is very commendable and should not be discouraged.
The court faults the respondent for adding the following words to his letter: “In return, I understand that you will discuss with your wife the possibility of dismissing your complaint against me.” This simple request was just that — a request. It was not a precondition to the respondent’s unequivocal relinquishment of legal fees due him, or to his withdrawal of representation. The respondent merely respectfully requested that his clients consider the possibility of withdrawing their grievance. Furthermore, the Disciplinary Commission’s authority to pursue an attorney discipline case does not depend on whether a grievant “withdraws” a complaint letter to the Disciplinary Commission. Such request for consideration was not, in my view, prejudicial to the administration of justice.
I cannot agree that the respondent’s respectful request that his former clients consider withdrawing their letter to the Disciplinary Commission, a request made after the respondent made a full waiver of unpaid legal fees and agreed to withdraw from their case, should be sanctioned as a disciplinary violation — even an agreed public reprimand.