Court Opinion

ID: 9792625
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:32:07.014556+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:43.979044
License: Public Domain

LANGDON, J., Dissenting.
I dissent. The applicant’s petition to the Board of Governors of the State Bar first resulted in an even division of the members thereof on the question of his right to readmission to practice. A subsequent vote showed four members in favor of the application. The chief issue was, as it must be in all such cases, whether the applicant had so rehabilitated himself as to warrant reinstatement. The majority opinion does not deal with this issue, and instead relies upon doubtful and conflicting evidence of his activities in recent years to hold that he was guilty of practicing law during the period of disbarment.
In my opinion this evidence is unsatisfactory and unconvincing. The real question, in my mind, is whether petitioner has, in addition to paying the price of his misdeeds, actually rehabilitated himself and proved that he possesses the necessary character and integrity to entitle him again to pursue the only profession for which he is fitted. On that question the opinion is silent, but the record is eloquent. An honor roll of nineteen judges, over one hundred prominent attorneys, including four former members of the Board of Governors of the State Bar, officials of the prison board, and other civic leaders, has been presented to us by letters and oral testimony, to show the widespread feeling among those who know the applicant that he may now be safely entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the practice of law.
On such a record I believe that the application of Joseph Lacey should be granted.
Rehearing denied.