Opinion
No. 60838.
06-07-2012
In the Matter of Discipline of Zachary B. COUGHLIN, Esq., Bar No. 9473.
J. Thomas Susich, Chair, Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board David A. Clark, Bar Counsel Kimberly K. Farmer, Executive Director, State Bar of Nevada Zachary B. Coughlin Perry Thompson, Admissions Office, United States Supreme Court
J. Thomas Susich, Chair, Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board
David A. Clark, Bar Counsel
Kimberly K. Farmer, Executive Director, State Bar of Nevada
Zachary B. Coughlin
Perry Thompson, Admissions Office, United States Supreme Court
ORDER OF TEMPORARY SUSPENSION AND REFERRAL TO DISCIPLINARY BOARD
Bar counsel for the State Bar of Nevada has filed a petition pursuant SCR 111 seeking an order from this court temporarily suspending attorney Zachary B. Coughlin, Bar Number 9473, from the practice of law and referring him for disciplinary proceedings. The petition alleges that on September 9, 2011, Coughlin shoplifted a candy bar and cough drops from a Wal–Mart store. It is supported by documentation indicating that on November 30, 2011, in the Municipal Court of the City of Reno, Coughlin was found guilty, following a bench trial, of one count of petit larceny/theft in violation of Reno Municipal Code 8.10.040. He was ordered to pay $400 in fines and fees. Coughlin appealed his conviction to the Second Judicial District Court, and on March 15, 2012, the judgment was affirmed.
The petition does not indicate whether Coughlin informed bar counsel of the conviction as required by SCR 111(2).
Pursuant to SCR 111, temporary suspension and referral to the appropriate disciplinary board are mandatory when an attorney has been convicted of a “serious” crime, which includes theft. SCR 111(6)-(8). Accordingly, pursuant to SCR 111(8), we refer this matter to the appropriate disciplinary board for the institution of a formal hearing before a hearing panel in which the sole issue to be determined shall be the extent of the discipline to be imposed. Furthermore, pursuant to SCR 111(7), we hereby temporarily suspend attorney Zachary B. Coughlin from the practice of law in Nevada, pending final disposition of the disciplinary proceedings.
This order constitutes our final disposition of this matter. Should there be any further proceedings regarding Coughlin, they shall be docketed as a new matter.