BPR Will Hear Klayman Bar Case

The District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility is scheduled to hear oral argument in the disciplinary matter involving Larry Klayman.

A hearing committee found that he engaged in ethical violations based on a complaint filed by Judicial Watch.

The complaint

The three cases were brought by: a former employee of Judicial Watch (Sandra Cobas); a donor to the organization (Louise Benson); and a former client (Peter Paul). Disciplinary Counsel charges that the three matters were the same or substantially related to matters that Respondent handled as Judicial Watch’s general counsel and that his conduct violated Rule 1.9 (or its Florida equivalent) and in one of the matters seriously interfered with the administration of justice in violation of Rule 8.4(d). Disciplinary Counsel recommends that Respondent be suspended for 90 days, with 60 days stayed, pending his completion of a continuing legal education course on conflicts of interest.

The committee favored a more severe sanction than that proposed by Disciplinary Counsel

Respondent’s misconduct was serious and escalating. He does not recognize the seriousness of the misconduct or even agree that it is misconduct at all. His conduct since the three representations includes both the misconduct in Florida and his misrepresentations and lack of candor to this tribunal. In the view of this hearing committee, Respondent’s conduct raises serious concerns about whether he will act ethically after his period of suspension has run, and supports imposing a condition that he demonstrate his fitness before resuming the practice of law…

In light of Respondent’s misconduct and the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, we recommend that Respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 90 days with readmission upon showing his fitness to practice law.

The argument will be held on November 16 at 2 pm in the District of Columbia Courthouse. (Mike Frisch)