People v. Hambric

Summary

The Colorado Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge disbarred William Thomas Hambric for neglecting and abandoning client matters, failing to communicate, mishandling and converting client funds, and failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities. The decision found multiple aggravating factors, including prior discipline, a dishonest or selfish motive, a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, and obstruction of the disciplinary proceedings. Hambric was ordered to pay restitution and the costs of the proceedings.

Holdings

1. The entries of default established the factual allegations and the charged violations of Colo. RPC 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.15(b), 1.16(d), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and C.R.C.P. 251.5(d).
2. Disbarment was required because Hambric knowingly converted client funds and abandoned clients, and the misconduct was aggravated by a dishonest or selfish motive, a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, obstruction of the disciplinary proceedings, and two prior disciplinary admonitions.
3. Hambric was ordered to pay $600 in restitution in the Funcannon matter, $550 in restitution in the Sandoval matter, and the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the admitted conduct established violations of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct and related disciplinary rules.
2. What sanction was appropriate for Hambric's knowing conversion of client funds, abandonment and neglect of client matters, failure to communicate, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failure to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation.
3. Whether restitution and proceeding costs should be imposed in addition to the professional discipline.

Disposition

other