Opinion
No. S–16–019
02-19-2016
STATE of Nebraska EX REL. COUNSEL FOR DISCIPLINE OF THE NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT, Relator, v. Patricia GERINGER, Respondent.
INTRODUCTION
This case is before the court on the voluntary surrender of license filed by respondent, Patricia Geringer, on January 7, 2016. The court accepts respondent's voluntary surrender of her license and enters an order of disbarment.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Respondent was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Nebraska on September 19, 1983. On September 1, 2015, the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court filed formal charges against respondent in case No. S–15–801. The formal charges consisted of three counts against respondent that generally involved trust account violations and falsifying documents. The formal charges alleged that by her actions, respondent violated her oath of office as an attorney, Neb.Rev.Stat. § 7–104 (Reissue 2012), and several of the Nebraska Court Rules of Professional Conduct. On December 1, respondent filed an answer to the formal charges in which she denied allegations of fact set forth in the formal charges. On December 15, a referee was appointed.
On January 7, 2016, respondent filed a voluntary surrender of license, in which she stated that she freely and voluntarily waived her right to notice, appearance, or hearing prior to the entry of an order of disbarment and consented to the entry of an immediate order of disbarment.
ANALYSIS
Neb. Ct. R. § 3–315 of the disciplinary rules provides in pertinent part:
(A) Once a Grievance, a Complaint, or a Formal Charge has been filed, suggested, or indicated against a member, the member may voluntarily surrender his or her license.
(1) The voluntary surrender of license shall state in writing that the member knowingly admits or knowingly does not challenge or contest the truth of the suggested or indicated Grievance, Complaint,
or Formal Charge and waives all proceedings against him or her in connection therewith.
Pursuant to § 3–315 of the disciplinary rules, we find that respondent has voluntarily surrendered her license to practice law and knowingly does not challenge or contest the truth of the allegations made against her. Further, respondent has waived all proceedings against her in connection therewith. We further find that respondent has consented to the entry of an order of disbarment.
CONCLUSION
Upon due consideration of the court file in this matter, the court finds that respondent freely, knowingly, and voluntarily admitted that she does not contest the allegations being made against her. The court accepts respondent's voluntary surrender of her license to practice law, finds that respondent should be disbarred, and hereby orders her disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Nebraska, effective immediately. Respondent shall forthwith comply with all terms of Neb. Ct. R. § 3–316 (rev. 2014) of the disciplinary rules, and upon failure to do so, she shall be subject to punishment for contempt of this court. Accordingly, respondent is directed to pay costs and expenses in accordance with Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 7–114 and 7–115 (Reissue 2012) and Neb. Ct. R. §§ 3–310(P) (rev. 2014) and 3–323 of the disciplinary rules within 60 days after an order imposing costs and expenses, if any, is entered by the court.
JUDGMENT OF DISBARMENT.