In re the Discipline of Wolfson

313 N.W.2d 596, 1981 Minn. LEXIS 1544
CourtSupreme Court of Minnesota
DecidedDecember 17, 1981
DocketNo. 50711
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 313 N.W.2d 596 (In re the Discipline of Wolfson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Minnesota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re the Discipline of Wolfson, 313 N.W.2d 596, 1981 Minn. LEXIS 1544 (Mich. 1981).

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

On November 7, 1979, the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board (hereinafter “the Board”) filed a petition with this court for the discipline of attorney Jerald Barton Wolfson. On the same day, the Board, with Wolfson’s approval by stipulation, filed a petition for Wolfson’s immediate suspension from the practice of law; the order for that suspension issued immediately.

The Board’s attorney took Wolfson’s deposition on March 30, 1981. Honorable C. Rolloff, disciplinary referee, held the disciplinary hearing on May 12-13, 1981, and [597]*597later issued findings of fact, conclusions, and a recommendation for disbarment.

Respondent Wolfson, following that hearing, did not file a brief with this court. However, on August 26, 1981, respondent filed an application for an order to vacate the referee’s findings and to suspend these proceedings. The Board filed an opposing memo on August 28. We issued an order on September 1 denying respondent’s petition and directing him to appear for oral argument as scheduled on September 11, 1981. Following oral argument before this court on September 11, 1981, we issued an order dated September 16, 1981, granting respondent a delay in our consideration of the case. That order allowed respondent to order a hearing transcript within seven (7) days of September 16, provided that respondent pay the estimated cost of the transcript at the time he ordered the same, notify this court immediately upon his ordering the transcript, and file his brief within 31 days of his receipt of the transcript. Absent special permission by this court, respondent’s brief was to be filed no later than November 16, 1981.

To this date, this court has not received a copy of either the transcript or respondent’s brief. We have been notified by the court reporter that, although the transcript was prepared at the request of respondent, respondent paid with a check returned by the bank marked “non-sufficient funds.” The only response from respondent to this court’s order of September 16 was a telephone call from respondent to the court clerk’s office on Friday, December 4, requesting a continuance of ten (10) working days. Since receipt of that call, more than ten (10) working days have elapsed.

Accordingly, we accept as conclusive the findings of fact and conclusions of the referee. See Minn. R. Lawyers Professional Responsibility 14(d); In re Cartwright, 282 N.W.2d 548, 548 (Minn.1979); In re Hetland, 275 N.W.2d 582, 583 (Minn.1978). The referee’s findings, conclusions and recommendation, along with an attached memorandum, are set out in full as an appendix to this opinion.

This court’s experiences with respondent are strikingly similar to those noted in the findings and conclusions of Judge Rolloff. Respondent’s continuing failure to comply with this court’s orders, together with his abuse of the legal process, as found by the referee, require — indeed compel — respondent’s disbarment.

Respondent is herewith disbarred from practice before all of the courts in this state.

APPENDIX

STATE OF MINNESOTA

IN SUPREME COURT

FILE NO. 50711

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION

This matter was heard by the undersigned in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 12 and 13, 1981, pursuant to the Court’s Order of Appointment.

Bruce E. Martin, Assistant Director, appeared on behalf of Michael J. Hoover, Director of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, hereinafter Petitioner. Jerald Barton Wolfson, hereinafter Respondent, appeared in person and was represented by W. Dale Weyhrich. After hearing, leave was granted to file briefs and proposed findings.

Based upon all files, records and proceedings herein, and pursuant to Rule 14, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility, the following are hereby made as

FINDINGS OF FACT

I.

Respondent received his L.L.B: degree from Drake University in 1958, and was admitted to practice in Minnesota in 1959. In 1960, from 1963 through 1967, and from 1971 through 1979, Respondent was engaged in the private practice of law in Minnesota. In 1970, Respondent practiced with a law firm in Des Moines, Iowa.

[598]*598II.

In November, 1979, Respondent was suspended from Minnesota practice, pending completion of these disciplinary proceedings. Respondent now lives in Iowa, and is attempting to organize an import/export business. (Respondent’s testimony).

III.

COMPLAINT NO. 1

A. In May, 1976, Respondent hired Roger A. Gershin to work as a law clerk for Respondent, and to work for real estate corporations with which Respondent was associated. Respondent personally guaranteed payment of Gershin’s wages for work performed for Respondent and the corporations. (Gershin testimony).

B. From November, 1976, through March, 1977, Gershin attempted to collect from Respondent back wages owed by Respondent and the corporations. Respondent repeatedly promised to pay Gershin, but failed to do so. Respondent failed to return Gershin’s phone calls, and refused to see Gershin. (Gershin testimony).

C. Gershin obtained a conciliation court judgment against Respondent for $300 wages and $360 punitive damages. In July, 1977, Respondent appealed the judgment by removing the action to municipal court. Respondent alleged in his municipal court answer that Gershin had failed to account for funds, and had acted without good faith. (Petitioner’s Exhibit 2).

D. Respondent had not asked Gershin to account for any funds. On or about November 27, 1977, Respondent admitted to Gershin and the municipal Court judge that there was no basis for Respondent’s allegations that Gershin failed to account for funds and acted without good faith. (Gershin- testimony).

E. In September, 1977, Respondent filed in the municipal court action a Notice of Taking of Deposition dated September 9, 1977. The notice listed James Murphy as attorney for Respondent. (Petitioner’s Exhibit 4). Murphy had not given Respondent permission to use Murphy’s name on the

notice. Respondent informed Murphy of the identity of the parties in and the nature of the municipal court action only on the day of the deposition. (Murphy testimony).

F.On or about November 27, 1977, Respondent stipulated with Gershin that Respondent would pay the judgment on or before December 12, 1977. (Gershin testimony). On November 30, 1977, Respondent paid Gershin $200 by check drawn on Respondent’s trust account. (Petitioner’s Exhibit 5). The remainder of the judgment was not paid until January, 1978. (Gershin testimony).

IV.

COMPLAINT NO. 2

A. Prior to March, 1977, Respondent represented Radisson Realty, Inc., a corporation owned and operated by Clyde Gould.

B. In February or March, 1977, Respondent asked Gould for a $1,000 loan, and represented to Gould that the loan was required for medical treatment of Respondent’s daughter. (Gould testimony).

C. Gould was not able to loan Respondent the money, but arranged for a loan to Respondent at Riverside Community State Bank of Minneapolis. (Gould testimony).

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Bluebook (online)
313 N.W.2d 596, 1981 Minn. LEXIS 1544, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-the-discipline-of-wolfson-minn-1981.