IOWA BD. OF PROF. ETHICS v. Morris
Decision Date | 20 January 2000 |
Docket Number | No. 99-1574.,99-1574. |
Citation | 604 N.W.2d 653 |
Parties | IOWA SUPREME COURT BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & CONDUCT, Complainant, v. James B. MORRIS III, Respondent. |
Court | Iowa Supreme Court |
Norman G. Bastemeyer, and Charles L. Harrington, Des Moines, for complainant.
James B. Morris III, Des Moines, pro se, for respondent.
Considered by McGIVERIN, C.J., CARTER, NEUMAN, and CADY, JJ., and HARRIS,1 S.J.
This is an attorney disciplinary action involving James B. Morris III. A division of the Grievance Commission found Morris violated the Code of Professional Responsibility by willfully failing to pay withholding taxes on wages paid to an employee of his law office and failing to file the required withholding forms. It recommended an indefinite suspension with no possibility of reinstatement for six months. On our review, we impose an indefinite suspension of not less than six months.
James B. Morris III was admitted to the practice of law in Iowa in 1979. He maintains a law office in Des Moines and primarily practices in the areas of real estate, family and criminal law. He practices as a sole practitioner, but shares his office with his brother. Morris is married and has a family.
Morris employed Denise Lippillo as a secretary and receptionist from 1990 to 1994. From December 31, 1991, to January 30, 1994, Morris failed to pay withholding taxes on the wages he paid to Lippillo. He also failed to file the required withholding forms.
As a result, Morris was charged in state district court with fraudulent practices in violation of Iowa Code sections 422.25(5), 714.8(10), and 714.12(1) (1995). He subsequently pled guilty to fraudulent practice in the fourth degree. Morris received a suspended jail sentence and was fined in the sum of $1000. He also paid restitution to the state in the amount of $4494.81.
The Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct filed a complaint against Morris on May 11, 1999. It claimed a failure to pay the withholding taxes violated DR 1-102(A)(3), (4), (5) and (6). Morris acknowledged the essential elements of the complaint, and the hearing before the commission essentially concerned the sanction to result.
Morris testified at the hearing he did not pay the quarterly withholding tax because he often did not produce enough income from his practice to pay the taxes during the time he employed Lippillo. Morris is a renal dialysis patient, which has placed some constraints on his ability to produce income. Morris paid the restitution to the state by refinancing the mortgage on his home.
Morris has been disciplined on two prior occasions. He was reprimanded for several violations in 1993, including neglect of a trust, maintaining inadequate client trust account records, and making a false certification on an annual client security questionnaire. In 1994 he was suspended for neglect of probate matters, failure to withdraw from a case as requested by a client, and failure to cooperate with the ethics investigation.
Following the hearing on the complaint, the commission found Morris violated DR 1-102(A)(3) ( ), DR 1-102(A)(4) ( ), DR 1-102(A)(5) ( ), and DR 1-102(A)(6) ( ). It recommended Morris be suspended for six months.
We review the findings and recommendations of the Grievance Commission de novo. Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Winkel, 542 N.W.2d 252, 254 (Iowa 1996). We give respectful consideration to the findings and recommendations of the commission, but are not bound by them. Id.
We have previously disciplined lawyers in Iowa for conduct resulting in a criminal conviction for fraudulent practice. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Neuwoehner, 595 N.W.2d 797, 797 (Iowa 1999)
; Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Runge, 588 N.W.2d 116, 117 (Iowa 1999). These cases, however, have involved discipline for failing to file tax returns. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Doughty, 588 N.W.2d 119, 120 (Iowa 1999) ( ). We have not previously considered the failure of a lawyer to pay employee withholding taxes in the operation of a law office.
540 N.W.2d at 842. It constitutes a serious breach of trust established between employer and employee and imposes on the resources of the state to enforce compliance with the law by individuals sworn to uphold it. Id. Lawyers violate their oath to uphold the law by violating a criminal statute. Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Thompson, 595 N.W.2d 132, 134 (Iowa 1999).
We conclude the willful failure to pay employee withholding taxes and to file the required withholding forms violates those provisions of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers identified by the commission. The evidence in the case convincingly established Morris had violated DR 1-102(A)(3), (4), (5), and (6).
540 N.W.2d at 842 ( ); In re Kline, 156 Mont. 177, 477 P.2d 881, 882 (1970) (indefinite suspension); Caskey, 560 N.W.2d at 419 (six-month suspension); In re Glover, 335 S.C. 554, 518 S.E.2d 258, 258 (1999) (ninety-day suspension).
Notwithstanding, the appropriate sanction in any disciplinary case rests with the particular facts and circumstances. Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Sylvester, 548 N.W.2d 144, 147 (Iowa 1996). Additionally, we not only consider the nature of the violations, but also the need for deterrence, protection of the public, maintenance of the reputations of bar as a whole, and the respondent's fitness to practice law. Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Stein, 603 N.W.2d 574, 576 (Iowa 1999).
Considering all of the circumstances of this case, we are mindful that Morris has been disciplined in the past. This prior discipline can support enhanced sanctions in this case. See Committee on Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v....
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