Varriano v. Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court, 2015 ND 288

Summary

The North Dakota Supreme Court reinstated Richard D. Varriano to the practice of law after a reciprocal suspension arising from misconduct related in part to conflicts of interest and misuse of a trust account. The Court adopted the hearing panel’s findings and imposed conditions addressing supervision, continuing legal education, financial management, sobriety, and periodic compliance reporting.

Holdings

1. Varriano satisfied the applicable reinstatement requirements, and the Disciplinary Board hearing panel's findings, conclusions, and recommendations were adopted.
2. Reinstatement was ordered subject to conditions requiring payment of costs, compliance with continuing legal education requirements, association with an experienced supervising lawyer, assistance concerning financial management and conflicts, participation in the Lawyer Assistance Program, maintenance of sobriety, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and periodic compliance affidavits.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Varriano satisfied the requirements for reinstatement to the practice of law in North Dakota.
2. Whether reinstatement should be conditioned on supervision, continuing legal education, sobriety-related assistance and monitoring, financial-management safeguards, and periodic compliance reports.

Disposition

other