Opinion
Nos. 247, 2000, 64, 1998.
Decided: September 18, 2000.
APPROVED.
Unpublished Opinion is below.
IN THE MATTER OF A MEMBER OF THE BAR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILLIAM G. CAMPBELL, Respondent. Nos. 247, 2000, 64, 1998. Supreme Court of the State of Delaware. Submitted: August 16, 2000. Decided: September 18, 2000.
Before HOLLAND, BERGER, and STEELE, Justices.
ORDER
This 18th day of September 2000, upon consideration of Final Report and Recommendations filed by the Board on Professional Responsibility, it appears to the Court that:
(1) A panel of the Board on Professional Responsibility ("the Panel") held a hearing and issued a report with its findings and recommendations regarding allegations of professional misconduct by the Respondent, William G. Campbell. The Panel found that Campbell had engaged in intentional, fraudulent acts of misconduct by diverting firm and client funds for his own personal use to satisfy a gambling compulsion. The Panel further found, among other things, that Campbell had voluntarily reported his own misconduct, had cooperated fully with the disciplinary process, had made good faith efforts to rectify the consequences of his misconduct, was receiving on-going therapy for his gambling disorder, and was remorseful for his actions.
(2) Although Campbell has withdrawn from the practice of law and expressed his intent not to renew his practice of law in the future, the Board nonetheless recommended that Campbell be suspended from practicing law for a period of six months and one day. The Panel recommended that the period of suspension begin February 23, 2000, the day the disciplinary hearing was held.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel did not file any objections to the Panel's Final Report. Campbell initially filed objections to the Panel's recommended sanction but later withdrew those objections.
(3) The Court has considered the Panel's Final Report pursuant to Rule 9(e) of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. The Court holds that the Panel's findings are supported by the record and further finds that the Panel's recommendation of a six month plus one day suspension is appropriate. We conclude, however, that the period of suspension shall be effective as of the day of this Order.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that:
(1) The Panel's report filed May 25, 2000 (copy attached) is hereby APPROVED.
(2) William G. Campbell shall be prohibited and suspended from engaging in the practice of law as a member of the Delaware Bar commencing September 18, 2000.
(3) Campbell may apply for reinstatement on or after March 19, 2001 by filing a petition for reinstatement with the Board and may be reinstated thereafter if he shows to the Board's satisfaction that he has met the conditions for reinstatement.
(4) During the suspension period, Campbell shall not share in any legal fees arising from clients or cases referred by him during the period of suspension to any other attorney. Campbell also shall not share in legal fees earned for services by others during such period of suspension.
(5) To the extent applicable, Campbell shall comply with the requirements of Rules 21 and 23 of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
(6) Pursuant to Rule 27, Campbell shall pay all costs of these disciplinary proceedings.
(7) This Order shall be disseminated by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in accordance with Rule 14.
The matter is hereby CLOSED.