Opinion
09PDJ001.
January 20, 2009.
Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a Conditional Admission of Misconduct submitted by the parties and suspended John Ford Dietz (Attorney Registration No. 24360) from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day, all stayed upon the successful completion of a two-year period of probation with conditions, effective February 20, 2009. From 2002 through 2006, Respondent represented to the Office of Attorney Registration that he was "Not Under Any Court Order" to provide child support. In January 2007, Respondent represented to the Office Attorney Registration that he was "In Compliance" with court-ordered child support, which contradicted his earlier statements. A Mexican court had previously entered a child support order, to which Respondent believed he had a number of defenses. Nevertheless, Respondent acknowledged that he should have been more prudent and cautious by seeking and following qualified legal advice regarding the issue prior to indicating whether he was under an applicable order to pay child support. His misconduct constituted grounds for the imposition of discipline pursuant to C.R.C.P. 251.5 and violated Colo. RPC 3.3(a)(1) and 8.4(c).