Court Opinion

ID: 9792336
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:27:21.489576+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:41.251461
License: Public Domain

Finley, J.
(dissenting) — The majority opinion in the case of In re Eddleman, 63 Wn.2d 775, 389 P.2d 296 (1964), noted that the hearing panel initially recommended reprimand and suspension from the practice of law for a period *46of 3 years; that the Board of Governors modified this and recommended reprimand and suspension for only 1 year. However, the court, in a split decision, refused to follow either the recommendations of the hearing panel or the Board of Governors and ordered that petitioner Eddleman be disbarred from the practice of law. Along with two other members of the court sitting en banc I dissented and stated at that time “It is my view that the court, in disposing of this matter, should adopt the recommendations of the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors, nothing more, nothing less.” My views have not changed. In other words, I thought and still feel that the court was too severe in its evaluation and disposition of this matter. Furthermore, I can see no significant distinction between the instant case and the situation involved in the recent decision of this court ending the disbarment and reinstating the petitioner in the matter of In re Seijas, 75 Wn.2d 956, 454 P.2d 203 (1969).
Pursuant to the foregoing, I do not now, after 5 years, subscribe to the majority’s present evaluation of this disciplinary matter. Human conduct is not susceptible of precise, objective, scientific measurement and prediction. Absolute predictability as to rehabilitation is not to be expected nor demanded. Reasonable and rational predictability and assurance of compliance in the future with professional standards should be the test. Instead, the Board of Governors and this court seem to me to focus backward upon petitioner’s past errors in terms of absolutes and in the stern retrospect of the majority of this court in 1964. But even then three members of this court, the Board of Governors of the State Bar and the hearing panel measured and evaluated petitioner’s conduct and his errors in terms of reprimand and suspension rather than disbarment. Based upon the record in this proceeding the petitioner’s conduct has been exemplary, in my judgment, since that fateful day for him when this court, by a split decision, voted to void his qualifications and his license to practice law in this state.
In some totalitarian governments public confession of *47error is apparently a part of a system of reeducation or “brainwashing” expected to reform or remake individuals in a required mold. I certainly agree with the majority that such a practice is not only superficial and ineffective but uncivilized and certainly not the sine qua non in connection with disciplinary proceedings regarding the practice of law.
For the reasons indicated above and, I think, consistent with my views at the outset regarding this disciplinary matter, I would grant the petition for reinstatement.
Hunter, C. J., concurs with Finley, J.
December 8,1969. Petition for rehearing denied.