Court Opinion

ID: 2683636
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-07-15 09:02:43.013423+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:43:38.297217
License: Public Domain

OSCN Found Document:STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. OFFILL

	
				

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STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. OFFILL2014 OK 27324 P.3d 406Case Number: SCBD-5674Decided: 04/15/2014THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMACite as: 2014 OK 27, 324 P.3d 406
STATE OF OKLAHOMA, ex rel., OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION, 
Complainant,v.PHILLIP W. OFFILL, JR., Respondent.

ORDER IMPOSING FINAL DISCIPLINE OF DISBARMENT
¶1 This Court suspended Respondent from the practice of law on November 22, 
2010. We based this action upon his conviction in the United States District 
Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on nine counts of wire fraud and a 
single count of conspiracy to commit securities registration violations, 
securities fraud and wire fraud. Case No. 1:09-cr-00134-LO-1 The United States 
District Court sentenced Respondent to ninety-six months of imprisonment for 
each of the wire fraud counts and sixty months imprisonment for the conspiracy 
count, all time to be served concurrently. The United States Court of Appeals 
for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the judgment and sentence in this case on 
December 6, 2011, Case No. 10-4490, 666 F.3d 168 (4th 
Cir. 2011). Thereafter, the United States Supreme Court denied Respondent's 
petition for certiorari on April 16, 2012. Case No. 11-9131. Respondent's 
conviction is now final for purposes of determining and imposing final 
discipline.
¶2 On November 19, 2013, this Court ordered Respondent to show cause why a 
final order of discipline should not be made. The show cause order was mailed to 
Respondent and gave notice that he could request a hearing concerning final 
discipline. The show cause order further notified Respondent that he could also 
submit a brief and evidence to explain his conduct and to mitigate the final 
discipline to be imposed. The show cause order also advised Respondent that 
potential final discipline included suspension through the remaining period of 
his sentence and disbarment. The show cause order gave Respondent until December 
9,2013, to respond. To this date, Respondent has not requested a hearing, filed 
a brief or submitted evidence to support any mitigation of final discipline. In 
fact, Respondent has never entered an appearance or responded to any notices and 
orders mailed to him. He is in complete default in these proceedings.
¶3 In determining the final discipline to be imposed, we first find that the 
record reflects Respondent has received sufficient notice and opportunity to be 
heard in accord with due process established for disciplinary proceedings. 
See State ex rel Oklahoma Bar Association v. Whitebook, 2010 OK 72, ¶ 21, 242 P.3d 517, 522. We next find 
that Respondent's final conviction furnishes clear and convincing evidence: (1) 
he committed criminal acts that reflect adversely on his honesty, 
trustworthiness and fitness as a lawyer, and (2) he engaged in conduct involving 
dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation, in violation of Rule 8.4(b) and 
(c), Rules of Professional Conduct, 5 O.S.2011, ch.1, App.3-A. In a prior case 
where the disciplined attorney "was an active participant in the fraudulent and 
deceitful conduct," this Court imposed disbarment as appropriate final 
discipline to best serve the welfare of the public and the integrity of the bar, 
even in the face of mitigating evidence. State ex rel Oklahoma Bar 
Association v. Shofner, 2002 OK
84, ¶¶ 5 and 13, 60 P.3d
1024, 1027-29. Such discipline appears to be all the more called for in a 
case like the one before us where Respondent has never formally responded or 
otherwise offered explanation, mitigation or even a plea for leniency.
¶4 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Respondent is hereby disbarred from 
the practice of law in Oklahoma and his name shall be stricken from the Roll of 
Attorneys. This disbarment is effective from the date of this order. 
Respondent's failure to respond or defend has kept the costs of this proceeding 
at a minimum and, therefore, no costs are assessed to Respondent.
¶5 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall mail a 
copy of this order to:
Phillip Windom Offill, Jr., OBA #10424Register No. 38572-177, Federal 
Bureau of PrisonsUnited States Penitentiary - PollockPost Office Box 
2099Pollock, Louisiana 71467
and Phillip Windom Offill, Jr., OBA #104246440 Avondale Drive, Suite 
200Nichols Hills, Oklahoma 73116(Official Roster Address).
and The Office of the General Counsel of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
DONE IN CONFERENCE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT THIS 
14th DAY OF APRIL, 2014.

/S/CHIEF JUSTICE

¶6 ALL JUSTICES CONCUR.

Citationizer© Summary of Documents Citing This DocumentCite
Name
Level
None Found.Citationizer: Table of AuthorityCite
Name
Level
Oklahoma Supreme Court Cases CiteNameLevel 2002 OK 84, 60 P.3d 1024, STATE ex. rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASS'N v. SHOFNERDiscussed 2010 OK 72, 242 P.3d 517, STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. WHITEBOOKDiscussed