Opinion

Tonini v. State Bar

  • 46 Cal. 2d 491
  • 297 P.2d 1
  • 1956 Cal. LEXIS 205
Court
California Supreme Court
Filed
May 15, 1956
Status
Published
Author
Carter
On the bench
Carter
Cited by
5 cases

The opinion

CARTER, J.

I dissent.

While I agree with the majority that the record discloses unprofessional conduct of a somewhat serious nature on the part of both petitioners, I am of the opinion that the discipline ordered is too severe. Taking into consideration the *498 age and professional experience of both petitioners and the nature of the unprofessional conduct on their part as disclosed by the record, it is my opinion that a suspension from practice for the period of one year would be more in harmony with the discipline imposed for similar conduct in other eases which have come before this court.

It should be obvious that a three-year suspension from practice of law is almost equivalent to disbarment, and I do not believe that such severe punishment should be imposed on young, inexperienced lawyers for the character of conduct disclosed by the record here.

For the foregoing reasons I would suspend petitioners from the practice of law for the period of one year.

Petitioners ’ application for a rehearing was denied June 6, 1956, and the time for commencement of their suspension was extended to commence August 15, 1956. Carter, J., was of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

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.

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