Court Opinion

ID: 9574097
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:02:14.88814+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:44:06.179034
License: Public Domain

*57VAN HOOMISSEN, J.,
specially concurring.
I agree with the result announced by the majority.
ORS 9.220 states the general requirements for admission to the practice law in Oregon:
“An applicant for admission as attorney must apply to the Supreme Court and show that the applicant:
“(1) Is at least 18 years old, which proof may be made by the applicant’s affidavit.
“(2)(a) Is a person of good moral character.
“(b) For purposes of this section * * * the lack of ‘good moral character’ may be established by reference to acts or conduct that reflect moral turpitude or to acts or conduct which would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about the individual’s honesty, fairness and respect for the rights of others and for the laws of the state and the nation. The conduct or acts in question should be rationally connected to the applicant’s fitness to practice law.
“(3) Has the requisite learning and ability, which must be shown by the examination of the applicant, by the judges, or under their direction, in open court, at the term at which the application is made * *
I am satisfied that applicant has satisfied the above statutory requirements.
BR 7.6 provides:
“While an applicant for admission has the ultimate burden of proof to establish good moral character and general fitness to practice law, the Bar shall initially have the burden of producing evidence in support of its position that the applicant should not be admitted to the practice of law.”
The evidence the Oregon State Bar offers in opposition to applicant’s admission is, at best, ambiguous. In no way does that evidence support a conclusion that applicant should not be admitted to the practice of law.
On de novo review of the entire record in this case, including the recommendations of numerous judges, lawyers, teachers and other persons who have known applicant for many years, I conclude that applicant has shown by clear and convincing evidence that he has the requisite good moral character and general fitness to practice law.