Court Opinion

ID: 9742721
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:19:04.381738+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:35.575884
License: Public Domain

WILLIAM G. CALLOW, J.
(concurring). I concur in the majority opinion that Attorney Wood should be disciplined for his unprofessional conduct, and I do not find the order suspending him from the practice of law to be unreasonable.
I write because I believe in this case the protection of the public requires this court to recognize the danger to the public which exists if a person suffering from alcoholism does not properly manage his life by avoiding the use of alcoholic beverages.
In spite of the absence of a finding by the referee that the misconduct was the result of alcoholism, I believe the record establishes that Attorney Wood is an alcoholic. In light of Attorney Wood’s admitted and medically established alcoholism, the protection of the public upon his return to the practice of law after the sixty-day suspension requires that for three years his license to practice law be subject to the conditions set forth by his physician. Dr. George A. Mann, in his medical report concerning Attorney Wood, which was offered into evidence by Attorney Wood, stated: “Since alcoholism by its basic nature is characterized by a significant rate of recidivism, it would be critical for an individual with Mr. Wood’s history to put into place a system of safeguards that would neutralize or substantially reduce the statistical chances for a reoccurrence of the acute stages of his illness.”
I would order, as a condition of retaining his license to practice law for three years following his reinstate*620ment, that he be required to adhere to the ten conditions set forth by Dr. Mann as follows:
“A. That he would comply with the provisions of the code of professional responsibility.
“B. Maintain complete ongoing abstinence from alcohol and all mood changing or psychotropic substances.
“C. Attend at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting per week.
“D. Interface at least monthly with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.
“E. Attend Aftercare and post treatment sessions as recommended by St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center.
“F. Continue to see Dr. George Mann on a regular basis for ongoing counseling sessions.
“G. To receive quarterly reports from Dr. George Mann to appropriate individual or individuals appointed by the court reporting Mr. Wood’s continued progress and compliance with all recommendations.
“H. Supply waivers as would be necessary to verify that all recommendations of the treatment center are followed.
“I. Submit to a medical examination every six months for a recommended period (i.e. three years) and authorize and direct his physician to submit the results of such an examination to the Board.
“J. If Attorney Wood would fail to comply with these stipulations, the Board would have the right to seek a suspension of his license for failure to comply.”
Should it be determined that Attorney Wood has failed to substantially adhere to the conditions during the three-year period following reinstatement, I would suspend his license to practice law until this court determines that he has been rehabilitated and no longer presents a danger to clients, the courts, and the public.