Court Opinion

ID: 9600560
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:28:21.813236+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:08:17.523385
License: Public Domain

*133MOSK, J.
I dissent because I believe the discipline to be too severe under the circumstances of this case.
The petitioner has been described by a superior court judge as a “skilled, brilliant and honorable lawyer.” He has not attempted to avoid his liability for the events involved herein, but has properly raised a question concerning the extent of punishment that is appropriate.
The activities for which petitioner is being disciplined did not involve the active practice of law. The so-called victims were in effect joint venturers with him in highly speculative business investments. They, as well as this petitioner, sought the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow—and unfortunately for all of them, the pot was a mirage.
It would have been advisable at the outset for petitioner to have instructed his coinvestors to seek independent legal advice. But when all are jointly pursuing the anticipated fabulous riches just over the horizon, the lawyer’s omission does not merit the ultimate punishment of disbarment when he did not benefit from the transactions but has been, like the others, wiped out financially.
My opinion is that some actual suspension plus a substantial period of probation would be preferable discipline.