| Oregon State Bar Bulletin — JUNE 2009 |
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Bar Actions
Note: More than 13,000 persons are eligible to practice law in Oregon. Some of them share the same name or similar names. All discipline reports should be read carefully for names, addresses and bar numbers.
G. JEFFERSON CAMPBELL
OSB #750611
Medford
60-Day suspension
On Feb. 5, 2009, the supreme court issued an opinion suspending Medford lawyer G. Jefferson Campbell for 60 days, effective April 6, 2009, for violating DR 2-106(A) (charging a clearly excessive fee) and DR 5-105(C) (former client conflict of interest.).
Campbell represented a client in a number of matters. The court found an excessive fee violation because Campbell charged the client excessive interest and late fees. The court dismissed a second DR 2-106(A) charge, in which the bar alleged that Campbell charged the client by the hour for work he had agreed to do on a contingency fee basis, because the bar did not prove this allegation by clear and convincing evidence.
In a second matter, Campbell was special counsel to a bankruptcy trustee in a Chapter 7 proceeding. When the trustee decided to settle an adversary proceeding, Campbell withdrew from the representation. He thereafter undertook to represent two creditors of the bankruptcy estate in opposing the settlement. Under those circumstances, Campbell had a former client conflict of interest, and his failure to obtain consent after full disclosure from the bankruptcy trustee and the two creditors constituted a violation of DR 5-105(C). In this same matter, the court dismissed a charge in which the bar alleged that Campbell had a self-interest conflict because his desire to protect his own fees affected his professional judgment provided to the bankruptcy trustee. The court dismissed this charge because it found no conflict of interest at the time Campbell undertook to represent the trustee.
ARTHUR E. COYNE
OSB #970079
Portland
Form B resignation
Effective April 2, 2009, the supreme court accepted the Form B resignation of former Portland lawyer Arthur E. Coyne. At the time of resignation, a trial panel had issued an opinion finding that Coyne had violated RPC 1.16(d) (failure to properly withdraw), and RPC 8.1(a)(2)
(knowingly fail to cooperate in a bar investigation).
Coyne was admitted to practice in 1997. His resignation recited that he has no client files or records in his possession because, effective Jan. 11, 2007, the circuit court assumed jurisdiction over his law practice, as provided by ORS 9.725.
LARRY REEVES
OSB #024376
Dallas
Form B resignation
Effective April 17, 2009, the supreme court accepted the Form B resignation of Dallas lawyer Larry Reeves.
At the time of the resignation, an investigation was pending following Reeves’ criminal indictment on multiple counts of encouraging child sex abuse, potentially violating RPC 8.4(a)(2) (criminal conduct reflecting adversely on a lawyer’s fitness to practice law).
The resignation recited that all of Reeves’ files have been or will be turned over to Oregon attorney Chris L. Lillegard.
The following have applied for admission under the reciprocity, house counsel or law teacher rules. The Board of Bar Examiners requests that members examine this list and bring to the board’s attention in a signed letter any information that might influence the board in considering the moral character of any applicant for admission. Send correspondence to Admissions Director, Oregon State Board of Bar Examiners, P.O. Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281.
Reciprocity: James Milan Beard, Andrew Rogen Elliott, Catherine Ann-Grace Hardison, Trevor Allen Livingston, Lawrence Edwin Martin, Lesley Warren Robertson, Douglas Edward Schwed and Wendy Lee Walter
Notice of Reinstatement Application
The following attorneys have filed an application for reinstatement as an active member of the Oregon State Bar pursuant to Rule of Procedure (BR) 8.1:
John P. Bowles, OSB #971497. Lake Oswego resident John P. Bowles was suspended for disciplinary reasons for one-year effective June 1, 2005. In re Bowles, 19 DB Rptr 140 (2005). From 2005 to 2008, Bowles was involved in overseeing the financing and development of affordable and special needs housing. He is currently an active community volunteer. Bowles has no specific plans to return to the practice of law if reinstated.
Karl W. Kime, OSB #931335. Inactive in Oregon since 1993, Kime, of Glendale, Calif., has been an active California bar member since 1989. For the past decade he has been a partner for various Los Angeles area law firms, currently with Poole & Shaffery. Kime has no plans to return to the practice of law in Oregon after reinstatement.
Scott Michael Weis, OSB #955281. Weis, although a resident of Tacoma, is employed by the Cornerstone Law Group, based in San Francisco. He was admitted to the California bar in 1998 and since 2000 has been employed as legal counsel to technology companies in California and Virginia. Weis has been suspended in Oregon since 1997 for administrative reasons. Following reinstatement, Weis intends to seek a position in Oregon, focusing on transactional matters relating to technology licensing.
The Rules of Procedure require the Board of Governors to conduct an investigation of BR 8.1 reinstatement applications to determine whether applicants possess the good moral character and general fitness to practice law, and that the resumption of the practice of law in this state by these applicants will not be detrimental to the administration of justice or the public interest. Any person with information relevant to these applications is asked to contact promptly the Regulatory Services Division at the Oregon State Bar, P.O. Box 231935, Tigard, OR 97281-1935, (503) 620-0222, or (800) 452-8260, ext. 343.