Court Opinion

ID: 9625501
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 07:42:38.287593+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:09.516028
License: Public Domain

RICHARDSON, J.
I respectfully dissent. As the majority indicates, the record fully supports the board’s .findings that petitioner (1) knowingly misstated the facts regarding his representation of Don Brown, and (2) wrongfully refused to return to Brown the sum of $5,000, claiming these funds as a “nonrefundable retainer,” despite the fact that petitioner performed no services for Brown. He thereafter attempted to defeat *248Brown’s claim for refund by filing a petition in voluntary bankruptcy. The foregoing conduct fully warrants a substantial period of actual suspension from the practice of law, in order to impress upon petitioner the seriousness of his misconduct and to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
The net elfect of the board’s order, upheld by the majority, is to impose no actual discipline whatever in this case. The majority explains that one of the probation conditions imposed by the board is that petitioner make restitution to Brown of the funds which were wrongfully withheld. This restitution condition cannot be deemed “discipline,” however, for as the majority observes petitioner had already stipulated to the entry of a federal judgment ordering him to repay the funds in question.
I would impose a six months’ period of actual suspension in addition to the probation conditions fixed by the board.
Clark, J., concurred.