In re Lee (1988) 47 Cal.3d 471 , 764 P.2d 698; 253 Cal.Rptr. 570
In re STEPHEN TERRILL LEE on Disbarment
(Opinion by The Court.)
COUNSEL
Rodney M. Toothacre, Charles B. Pederson and Toothacre & Pederson for Petitioner.
Diane C. Yu, Truitt A. Richey, Jr., Ellen R. Peck and Erica Tabachnick for Respondent.
OPINION
THE COURT.
Stephen Terrill Lee, admitted to practice in 1977, pled no contest in 1984 to soliciting intimidation of a witness by force or threat (Pen. Code, ยง 653f, subd. (a)). In 1987, this court referred the matter to the State Bar for a hearing, report and recommendation as to whether the facts and circumstances involved moral turpitude or other misconduct warranting discipline and, if so found, the discipline to be imposed.
The State Bar's report has now been filed. The hearing panel concluded that Lee had solicited the murder of a potential witness against him, and that his actions involved moral turpitude. The hearing panel recommended disbarment. The review department adopted the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the hearing panel with minor amendments.
[1] This court, after reviewing the entire record and briefs, and considering all the facts and circumstances, has concluded that Lee's conduct did involve moral turpitude, and that disbarment is the proper discipline.
It is ordered that Stephen Terrill Lee be disbarred from the practice of law in this state. It is further ordered that he comply with the requirements of rule 955, California Rules of Court, within the time periods set forth in the resolution adopted by the review department on July 21, 1988. This order is effective 30 days after the filing of this opinion.
none
| Date: | Citation: | Docket Number: | Category: | Status: |
| Thu, 12/08/1988 | 47 Cal.3d 471 | S007341 | State Bar - Discipline | case closed |
| 1 | Lee, Stephen Terrill (Petitioner) Represented by Rodney M. Toothacre Toothacre & Pederson 4180 La Jolla Village Dr. Suite 400 La Jolla, CA |
| 2 | State Bar Of California (Non-Title Respondent) Represented by Office Of General Counsel - State Bar 1516 Ninth Street 1516 Ninth Street Ms-4 Sacramento, CA |
| Disposition | |
| Dec 8 1988 | Disbarment ordered |
| Dockets | |
| Sep 27 1988 | Objections to the report & recommendation filed |
| Oct 28 1988 | Response to Petition filed by State Bar State Bar brief in support of Report & Recommenda- Tion |
| Dec 2 1988 | Reply to State Bar response filed Reply brief in Opposition to Report & Recommenda- Tion. (filed w/Perm) |
| Dec 8 1988 | Disbarment Ordered |
| Dec 19 1988 | Petition for rehearing of State Bar discipline filed by petitioner |
| Dec 22 1988 | Request for rehearing of State Bar discipline denied Motion for reconsideration, request for oral argument, and application for stay denied. |
| Feb 16 1989 | Affidavit re 955 Compliance filed |