Continued Indifference To The Rule Of Law

The Nebraska Supreme Court disbarred an attorney for misconduct involving a federal criminal conviction as well as a series of client-related ethical violations. The conviction involved a series of $9,000 bank deposits in cash that the lawyer received as investment in an Internet business. The lawyer pleaded guilty to structuring the deposits to avoid reporting obligations. The court here did not buy his argument that the offense was “technical” or strict liability; rather, it was a knowing violation of well-established law. The court also was concerned that, after his suspension, the attorney engaged in unauthorized practice: his “failure to investigate the legality of his acting as a debt collector illustrates his continued indifference to the rule of law.” (Mike Frisch)