Court Opinion

ID: 9616016
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 04:42:44.800544+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:03:54.316185
License: Public Domain

E. T. HENSLEY, Jr., Chief Judge, Court of Appeals (dissenting). “A court called upon to discipline ail attorney for non-professional misconduct faces a troublesome and distasteful task. Nevertheless, it has been generally assumed that if the house is to be cleaned, it is for those who occupy and govern it, rather than for strangers, to do the noisome work.” 5 Natural Resources Journal, 299, People ex rel. Karlin v. Culkin, 248 N.Y. 465, 162 N.E. 487, 493. Final determination has been made that the respondent unlawfully converted funds of an estate to his own use in 1961. There has been no prosecution for the acts containing the elements of embezzlement, and it is not the function of this court to impose punishment. The respondent now urges that he be censured rather than suspended for any period of time. This request may be made in good faith, but it causes the writer to doubt that rehabilitation has been accomplished. The Board of Bar Commissioners recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for an indefinite period, but for not less than thirty days. The majority have adopted the recommendation and will impose the sanction in its mildest form. It is the opinion of the writer that one of the principal functions of an integrated bar is to achieve and maintain high standards of professional excellence, both in moral fitness and ability. Believing that the disposition of this proceeding as finally resolved by the majority falls far short of our objective and thus does a disservice to the Bar and to the Bench, I dissent.