Opinion

Alabama Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects v. Bostick

  • 211 So. 3d 825
  • 2016 Ala. LEXIS 41
  • 2016 WL 1171763
Court
Supreme Court of Alabama
Filed
Mar 25, 2016
Status
Published
Author
Shaw
On the bench
Bolin, Bryan, Main, Moore, Murdock, Parker, Shaw, Stuart
Cited by
2 cases

The opinion

SHAW, Justice

(dissenting).

I respectfully dissent. Although Ala. Code 1975, § 34-17-1(3), defines “landscape architecture,” it does not define the “practice” of landscape architecture. “Practice” has been defined, among other things, as “[t]he exercise of any profession.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1172 (6th ed.1990). “Exercise” has been defined, among other things, as “[t]o put in action or practice, to carry on something, to transact or execute.” Black’s Law Dictionary 572.

It is grounds for disciplinary action if, “in the practice of landscape architecture,” the landscape architect “has been guilty of fraud or deceit” or “has been guilty of negligence or willful misconduct.” Ala. Code 1975, § 34-17-5(a)(5) and (6). The Code section is directed not just at the work product created by one exercising the profession, but also to the actions and practices in which one is executing the privileges associated with that profession. Using one’s position as a landscape-architect professional to intercept money from clients owed to another for landscaping services, in my opinion, is an act done while carrying on the profession of landscape architecture. Here, for all that appears from the record, Chad Bostick, who was employed by GRC Design Group, Inc., as a landscape architect, misrepresented his professional relationship with his employer and took money from clients that was owed to his employer for landscaping services. I would affirm the Alabama Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects’ administrative order and the decision of the Court of Civil Appeals. Therefore, I respectfully dissent.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.