conversion of settlement funds to purchase cocaine instead of paying subrogation claims of his client’s insurers
How later courts described this case
- conversion of settlement funds to purchase cocaine instead of paying subrogation claims of his client’s insurers
- lawyer used settlement monies intended for subrogation claims for own use
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
*562 KETCHUM, J.,
dissenting:
Sometimes we need to mix a little mercy with justice.
This lawyer misappropriated his client’s funds to support his drug problem. He has since sought treatment and has straightened up his life. An indefinite suspension with the right to petition the Court for reinstatement in three years provides plenty of protection to the public.
I respectfully feel that annulling this lawyer’s license is not an appropriate sanction under the circumstances. The Hearing Panel Subcommittee of the Lawyer Disciplinary Board heard the evidence, considered the demeanor of the witnesses and of Mr. Brown, and made a careful, measured recommendation. I am not persuaded by the majority opinion’s reasoning that the recommendations of the Board should be so lightly dismissed.
I therefore dissent.