Court Opinion

ID: 9783644
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-30 19:54:07.993476+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:35:28.263604
License: Public Domain

TAYLOR, V.C.J.,
dissents:
I dissent to the reinstatement of the Respondent. He is a thief. He stole over $50,000.00 from his law firm and actively attempted to conceal the theft. He was a court-appointed trustee and stole over $100,000.00 from a bankruptey estate. He is a convicted felon. He made restitution and apology only after being discovered and confronted.
*816The Respondent does not meet, by clear and convincing evidence, the very strict test set out in Rule 11.4 RGDP which requires that "An applicant seeking such reinstatement will be required to present stronger proof of qualifications than one seeking admission for the first time." (emphasis added) If today, with his record, he was seeking admission to the Bar for the first time he would certainly, absolutely and rightfully be denied.
This Court has a primary obligation to safeguard the interests of the public and to protect the integrity of the legal profession. If Rule 11.4 RGDP is to have any meaningful enforcement at all, this Respondent's application for reinstatement must be denied. His qualifications are mot stronger than anyone seeking admission for the first time. No first-time applicant with the Respondent's record would be admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association. That is the standard required by the RGDP and it has not been followed in this case.