Opinion
Case Number: SCBD-5948
12-02-2012
STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION, Complainant, v. NATHANIEL K. SODERSTROM, Respondent.
FOR PUBLICATION IN OBJ ONLY. NOT RELEASED FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
ORDER OF IMMEDIATE INTERIM SUSPENSION
The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA), in compliance with Rule 7.1 and 7.2 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings (RGDP), has forward to this Court a certified copy of an Information and a certified copy of an Information and of plea of guilty, and a court minute finding Nathaniel K. Soderstrom guilty of possession of a controlled dangerous substance in violation of title 63, section 2-402, a felony. Rule 7.3 of the RGDP provides: "Upon receipt of the certified copies of Judgment and Sentence on a plea of guilty, order deferring judgment and sentence, indictment or information and the judgment and sentence, the Supreme Court shall by order immediately suspend the lawyer from the practice of law until further order of the Court." Having received certified copies of these papers and orders, this Court orders that Nathaniel K. Soderstrom is immediately suspended from the practice of law. Nathaniel K. Soderstrom is directed to show cause, if any, no later than December 14, 2012, why this order of interim suspension should be set aside. See RGDP Rule 7.3. The OBA has until December 24, 2012, to respond to Nathaniel K. Soderstrom''s should one be filed.
Rule 7.2 of the RGDP provides that a certified copy of a plea of guilty, of an order deferring judgment and sentence, or information and judgment and sentence of conviction "shall constitute the charge and be conclusive evidence of the commission of the crime upon which the judgment and sentence is based and shall suffice as the basis for discipline in accordance with these rules." Pursuant to Rule 7.4 of the RGDP, Nathaniel K. Soderstrom has until December 21, 2012, to show cause in writing why a final order of discipline should not be imposed, to request a hearing, or to file a brief and any evidence tending to mitigate the severity of discipline. The OBA has until January 7, 2013, to respond.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT this 3rd day of December 2012.
CHIEF JUSTICE
ALL JUSTICES CONCUR.