Will Jeanne Winkler be disbarred?The woman who took money out of her client trust account and lost it all on a questionable "investment" begged for her license at a State Bar disciplinary proceeding last Tuesday. How "questionable" was the investment? From the LVRJ:
During a 13-hour hearing, Jeanne Winkler told a State Bar of Nevada panel that she put $270,000 of her own money into a scheme she claimed involved World War I bonds, the Chinese government, U.S. senators, and a man who worked directly for President George W. Bush. She also took at least $233,000 out of her client trust fund for the scheme, money she claims went to Thomas Cecrle, a former client and the former brother-in-law of [Family Court Judge Steven] Jones.We propose a bright-line rule: If you screw your clients out of an amount greater than your law school tuition, you don't get to keep your license. Fair enough?
Winkler is currently working as a paralegal at attorney Bret Whipple's office (who's website has, as of this writing, been hijacked by some architectural firm), and has reportedly paid $84,000 in restitution since her suspension two years ago. Apparently, Whipple pays his paralegals quite well.
Winkler's hearing will resume sometime in the next 30 days. The State Bar panel, which consists of three attorneys and a layperson, could disbar Winkler, continue her suspension or reinstate her license with or without conditions. Which will/should it be, commenters?
(LVRJ)
