State of Nebraska ex rel. Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court v. Jeanelle S. Kleveland

Summary

The Nebraska Supreme Court approved Jeanelle S. Kleveland’s conditional admission to professional misconduct charges arising from her incompetent and neglectful handling of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. The court found violations of Nebraska’s former Code of Professional Responsibility, current Rules of Professional Conduct, and attorney oath, and suspended her from practicing law for 60 days.

Holdings

1. The court approved the conditional admission because the respondent knowingly did not challenge or contest the formal charges and waived further proceedings in connection with them.
2. By her conduct before September 1, 2005, the respondent violated DR 1-102 and DR 6-101 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and her oath of office; by her conduct after September 1, 2005, she violated Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. §§ 3-501.1 and 3-508.4 and her oath of office.
3. A 60-day suspension from the practice of law was warranted and was imposed, effective 30 days after filing of the opinion.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the respondent's conditional admission should be approved under Neb. Ct. R. § 3-313.
2. Whether the admitted conduct violated the applicable Nebraska attorney-discipline provisions and the respondent's oath of office.
3. What discipline should be imposed for the admitted violations.

Disposition

other