Opinion
No. 85795
01-12-2023
In the MATTER OF DISCIPLINE OF Jason L. LOPEZ, Bar No. 7796
ORDER REGARDING SCR 111 PETITION
This is a petition under SCR 111 concerning attorney Jason Lopez, based on two misdemeanor convictions for driving under the influence, one of which was reduced to reckless driving. The convictions were entered in 2021 and 2007. Lopez did not self-report either conviction to the State Bar as required by SCR 111(2) ; instead, the State Bar discovered the convictions while preparing for the hearing on Lopez's pending petition for reinstatement to the practice of law. Because the 2021 conviction was not Lopez's first misdemeanor traffic violation involving alcohol, bar counsel investigated and presented the matter to a screening panel before filing this petition, as required by SCR 111(4). The screening panel agreed with bar counsel's recommendation to set the matter for a formal hearing. The petition indicates that bar counsel also will present the convictions and failure to report at the hearing on Lopez's pending reinstatement petition.
This court suspended Lopez from the practice of law on February 23, 2018, for two years with all but six months and one day of the suspension stayed. In re Discipline of Lopez, No. 73894, 2018 WL 1129809 (Nev. Feb. 23, 2018) (Order Approving Conditional Guilty Plea), This court subsequently revoked the stay and imposed the full two-year suspension. In re Discipline of Lopez, No. 78511, 2019 WL 5109623 (Nev. Oct. 11, 2019) (Order of Suspension). Lopez previously petitioned for reinstatement, which was denied on June 7, 2021. In re Reinstatement of Lopez, No. 82172, 2021 WL 2328476 (Nev. June 7, 2021) (Order Denying Reinstatement). He currently is suspended from the practice of law.
Because the convictions are not for a "serious crime" as defined in SCR 111(6), temporary suspension and referral for disciplinary proceedings are not mandatory. SCR 111(7), (8). We conclude that a temporary suspension is not warranted given that Lopez currently is suspended. We agree that the matter should be referred to a disciplinary board to determine whether any additional discipline is warranted. See SCR 111(9), (11).
The Honorable Mark Gibbons and the Honorable Abbi Silver, Senior Justices, participated in the decision of this matter under general orders of assignment. This order constitutes our final disposition of this matter.