In re McGrath

259 P.3d 437 (Alaska 2011) · Supreme Court of Alaska · July 29, 2011 · No. S-14382

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court approved a consent stipulation resolving two disciplinary grievance matters involving attorney Geoffrey J. McGrath. The court imposed a three-year suspension effective September 15, 2011, conditioned on compliance with reinstatement requirements. The misconduct included incompetence, failure to communicate, unreasonable fees, conflicts of interest, mishandling client funds, violation of a tribunal order, and false statements concerning a settlement.

Holdings

  1. The court approved the stipulation resolving the disciplinary grievances without a formal hearing.
  2. McGrath was suspended from the practice of law for three years, effective September 15, 2011, with reinstatement conditioned on satisfaction of the requirements in the stipulation.

Questions Presented

  1. Whether the Alaska Supreme Court should approve the parties' stipulated resolution of the attorney disciplinary grievances.
  2. What level of discipline was appropriate for McGrath's multiple violations of the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, considering the ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions and aggravating and mitigating factors.
  3. Whether a three-year suspension with specified reinstatement conditions was appropriate.

Disposition

approved

Cases Cited (17)

  • In re Buckalew, 731 P.2d 48 (Alaska 1986)(followed)
  • In re Schuler, 818 P.2d 138, 140 (Alaska 1991)(followed)
  • In re Brion, 212 P.3d 748 (Alaska 2009)(followed)
  • In re Cyrus, 241 P.3d 890 (Alaska 2010)(followed)
  • In re Triem, 929 P.2d 634 (Alaska 1996)(followed)
  • In re Morrill, 904 P.2d 395 (Alaska 1995)(followed)
  • In re Simpson, 645 P.2d 1223 (Alaska 1982)(followed)
  • Alaska Bar Association v. Martin, 537 P.2d 516 (Alaska 1975)(followed)
  • In re McNabb, 395 P.2d 847 (Alaska 1964)(followed)
  • In re Friedman, 23 P.3d 620 (Alaska 2001)(followed)

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Cited In (0)

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