In re Rhodes

Filed: June 13, 2002

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON

In re: Complaint as to the Conduct of

WILLIAM T. RHODES,

Accused.

(OSB No. 00-35; SC S49269)

En Banc

On review of a decision of a trial panel of the Disciplinary Board.

Submitted on the record April 17, 2002.

Jane E. Angus, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, and James M. Pippin, Bar Counsel, Lake Oswego, filed the brief for the Oregon State Bar.

No appearance contra.

PER CURIAM

The accused is disbarred, effective 60 days from the date of the filing of this decision.

PER CURIAM

In this lawyer disciplinary proceeding, the Oregon State Bar (the Bar) alleged that the accused violated the following Disciplinary Rules: Disciplinary Rule (DR) 1-102(A)(3) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation); DR 1-102(A)(4) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to administration of justice); DR 1-103(C) (failing to cooperate with disciplinary investigation); and DR 7-102(A)(5) (knowingly making false statements of law or fact).

On March 14, 2001, the Bar served the accused in person with the formal complaint and notice to answer. The accused failed to file an answer or appear. Accordingly, a trial panel of the Disciplinary Board entered a default order. In a subsequent sanctions hearing, the trial panel deemed the Bar's allegations of misconduct to be true and concluded that the accused should be disbarred.

Under the facts of this proceeding, an exhaustive discussion of the accused's multiple acts of misconduct would not benefit the bench, the Bar, or the public. We agree with the trial panel that the accused should be disbarred.

The accused is disbarred, effective 60 days from the date of the filing of this decision.