Court Opinion

ID: 9532984
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:27:01.675357+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:53.260095
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE HARRISON, also dissenting: Mr. Howard’s prior conduct has shown what a suspension will mean to him. Nothing. The last time we told him to stop practicing law he did it anyway. He was unable to comply with our mandate for even five months. In direct contravention of our orders, he met with clients in his office and in jail, took money from them and dispensed legal advice. We had hoped that a suspension would teach Mr. Howard that he should promptly return unearned fees. It did not. We had hoped that a suspension would impress upon him the importance of not neglecting criminal matters. It did not. Mr. Howard has persisted in the very sorts of behavior that resulted in his discipline before. How, then, can we have any expectation that he will comport himself properly now? Although I am mindful of the positive aspects of Mr. Howard’s contributions to the profession, it is apparent to me that another suspension will do no good. Mr. Howard is what he is, and he has made very clear through his actions that he is not receptive to our efforts to help him reform. For the foregoing reasons, I would accept the Administrator’s recommendation and vote to have Mr. Howard disbarred. JUSTICE HEIPLE joins in this dissent.