Time To Bring Back The Stocks

Lending further credence to our theory that you actually have to murder a client to get disbarred in this state, The Supremes suspended two attorneys this week.

Las Vegas attorney Doug Crawford was suspended from practicing law for 5 years for stealing $398,345 from his clients in order to support his gambling habit.

The Supremes rejected the Disciplinary Board's recommendation to disbar Crawford stating “[t]he purpose of attorney discipline is to protect the public, the courts, and the legal profession, not to punish the attorney.”

Right. Public, you may consider yourself protected ... for the next five years. After that, you're on your own.

Crawford has been temporarily suspended since 5/1/07 pending the outcome of this hearing. No word on whether he'll get credit for time served.

Next, Las Vegas attorney Darren Walker received a 40 month sentence for "engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and for not responding to a formal complaint filed against him by the State Bar of Nevada."

Walker was suspended (for the first time) in 2007 for failing to pay his bar dues and for failing to maintain his continuing legal education requirements. While he was suspended, a snitch fellow attorney reported that he was continuing to practice law.

Huh, well, we're sure he will listen this time. No more practicing law, Darren! You don't want to risk another suspension, do you?

The Supremes gave Walker a 40 month suspension despite the Disciplinary Board's recommendation of 30 months; which begs the question: Why do we have a Disciplinary Board?

(LV Sun; LVRJ)