Disciplinary Case Summaries, 0120 COBJ, Vol. 49, No. 1 Pg. 87
| Position | Vol. 49, 1 [Page 87] |
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE
No. 19PDJ076. People v. Dierdorf Mester. 11/20/2019.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a conditional admission of misconduct and imposed reciprocal discipline, suspending Katherine Dierdorf Mester (attorney registration number 49286) from the practice of law in Colorado for three years, effective November 20, 2019. Dierdorf Mester must petition for reinstatement and show by clear and convincing evidence that she has been rehabilitated, has complied with disciplinary orders and rules, is fit to practice law, and has been reinstated in Missouri.
This reciprocal discipline case arose out of discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of Missouri on August 29, 2019, indefinitely suspending Dierdorf Mester from the practice of law, with no leave to apply for reinstatement for three years. Dierdorf Mester was disciplined for multiple violations of the rules of professional conduct based on her dishonesty about and concealment of a brutal assault of a suspect in custody by a police detective and the charges resulting therefrom filed by her friend and co-assistant circuit attorney for the city of St. Louis.
Dierdorf Mester's misconduct constitutes grounds for reciprocal discipline under CRCP 251.5 and 251.21.
The case file is public per CRCP 251.31.
No. 19PDJ073. People v. Hyde. 11/5/2019.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties' conditional admission of misconduct and suspended William R. Hyde (attorney registration number 20854) for one year and one day, effective November 5, 2019.
In May 2018, Hyde intentionally set fire to the garage of a house he was renting in an attempt to commit suicide. His roommate was present in the house and pulled him out of the fire. Hyde did not intend to hurt anyone else through his actions. In September 2018, Hyde pleaded guilty to fourth-degree felony arson and was sentenced to probation with conditions.
Through this conduct, Hyde violated Colo. RPC 8.4(b) (it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects).
The case file is public per CRCP 251.31.
No. 19PDJ074. People v. Jansen. 11/25/2019.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties' conditional admission of misconduct and suspended Molly F. Jansen (attorney registration number 34528) for a period of one year and one day, all to be stayed upon completion of two years of probation, effective October 25, 2019.
Jansen used flat fee agreements in her practice that set forth the following benchmarks: 25% of the fee would be deemed earned upon filing an entry of appearance; 25% would be earned by...
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