Reinstated In Oklahoma After Texas Returns License
An attorney who was reciprocally disbarred based on his Texas resignation has been reinstated by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
At the time the disbarment order was issued in Oklahoma, Petitioner was living in Arkansas. Petitioner worked at several car dealerships while living in Arkansas and subsequently moved to Texas where he continued to work in the used-car industry. In 2008, after moving to Texas, Petitioner Wagnon began seeing Dr. Jon Bergeron, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Bergeron diagnosed Petitioner Wagnon with Major Depressive Disorder and Petitioner began therapy and medication under Dr. Bergeron’s supervision. In September of 2011, Dr. Bergeron stated that “[d]uring the course of treatment, Mr. Wagnon has exhibited a stable mood and a commitment to staying mentally healthy. During our therapeutic work, Mr. Wagnon has experienced a number of significant stressors including long hours and difficult interpersonal situations at work and has shown the ability to recognize and handle the stress appropriately and to maintain his well-being in the process.” Dr. Bergeron continued: “Mr. Wagnon expresses a strong desire to assure that his mood does not interfere with his functioning in the future and has followed through with . . . dedication and work in therapy to manage his depression and prevent relapse.”
Petitioner married in May of 2007. His spouse testified before the PRT that at the time she met him, Petitioner was still struggling with his mental health issues but that upon beginning a consistent medication routine and therapy with Dr. Bergeron, Petitioner became “very consistent with medical treatment.” Petitioner’s spouse testified that although she had witnessed some “tough days” for Petitioner over the course of their marriage, Petitioner had consistently continued taking his medication.
Significantly, he was reinstated in Texas in several years ago
…the extent of Petitioner Wagnon’s rehabilitation is evident from the record. Although Petitioner Wagnon’s mental health was put at issue in his original disciplinary proceeding, this Court found Petitioner had not presented supporting evidence concerning his depression. Petitioner Wagnon acknowledged such at the hearing before the PRT in this case. He testified that at the time he was not in a good frame of mind and was not consistently taking his medication. He testified he did not handle himself very well twelve years ago and that logic and clear thinking were not his friends at that point in his life. He testified he recognizes now that he has mental health issues, but feels like he has addressed those issues by consistently taking his medication. He understands now that not taking his medication is no longer an option. He stated to the PRT: “I feel like I have demonstrated, over a good course of years, that I have worked my way back and worked though those issues and that I am a good candidate to have my law license back.” Additionally, no orders were entered by this Court or by the Texas bar for Petitioner Wagnon to pay restitution to any clients. However, as further evidence of Petitioner’s rehabilitation, he testified that as he was preparing for the Texas reinstatement proceedings, he felt like he needed to make reparations with a few clients. He tracked down three former clients who had filed grievances against him and who had complained about money in some way, and returned the money to each client in full.
Twelve years have passed since Petitioner Wagnon was disciplined in Oklahoma. Since that time, Petitioner Wagnon has had no criminal charges or convictions of any kind, and there is no evidence whatsoever of any allegations of the unauthorized practice of law. He was reinstated to the Texas Bar in 2012, and the record before us does not reveal any disciplinary issues with the Texas Bar since his reinstatement.
(Mike Frisch)