State of Oklahoma ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Daniel Allen Woolverton

Summary

The Supreme Court of Oklahoma approved Daniel Allen Woolverton's resignation from the Oklahoma Bar Association pending disciplinary proceedings after his guilty plea to sexual exploitation of a child. The court ordered that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys, barred reinstatement applications for five years, and imposed client-notification and Client Security Fund repayment conditions.

Holdings

1. The court approved Woolverton's resignation pending discipline because his affidavit demonstrated compliance with the requirements of Rule 8.1, including that the resignation was voluntary, uncoerced, and made with knowledge of its consequences.
2. An approved resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is tantamount to disbarment; therefore, Woolverton's name was stricken from the roll of attorneys and he could not apply for reinstatement for five years from the order's date.
3. The pending referral to the Professional Responsibility Commission was moot because Woolverton's voluntary resignation resolved the disciplinary matter.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Woolverton's resignation pending disciplinary proceedings complied with the requirements of Rule 8.1 and should be approved.
2. What disciplinary consequences and reinstatement restrictions followed from approval of the resignation.

Disposition

approved