In re Gardner

Summary

The Nevada Supreme Court approved a conditional guilty plea agreement concerning attorney Douglas J. Gardner's violations of Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 involving the handling of client property. The court imposed a 24-month suspension, with all but the first three months stayed, followed by two years of probation and specified conditions.

Holdings

1. The agreed-upon discipline is appropriate and sufficiently protects the public, the courts, and the legal profession.
2. Gardner is suspended for 24 months, with all but the first three months stayed, commencing on the date of the order, and is placed on probation for two years subject to payment, reporting, continuing-legal-education, and cost-payment conditions.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the conditional guilty plea agreement and agreed-upon discipline sufficiently protect the public, the courts, and the legal profession.
2. What discipline is appropriate for Gardner's admitted violations of RPC 1.15.

Disposition

approved