The hearing panel found that Crawford fulfilled the
requirements of SCR 116 for an attorney seeking reinstatement and
demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that he has the moral
qualifications, competency, and learning in law required for readmission
to the practice of law. The panel further found that Crawford's
resumption of the practice of law would not be detrimental to the integrity
and standing of the bar, to the administration of justice, or to the public
interest.
The panel recommended that Crawford be reinstated, and
pursuant to this court's November 10, 2014, order, that Crawford be
subject to the following amended conditions upon reinstatement: (1)
Crawford shall refrain from engaging in any substance abuse of any kind,
including alcohol and drugs, and shall refrain from gambling for as long as
he remains a licensed attorney; (2) Crawford shall be mentored for a
period of three years, and that Robert Dickerson be appointed as
Crawford's initial mentor. If Mr. Dickerson is unwilling or unable to serve
in that capacity, then an alternative mentor will be selected with the
approval of the State Bar. Crawford will fully cooperate with the mentor;
(3) Crawford will submit semi-annual reports to the State Bar until full
restitution is made. The reports will indicate the status of his restitution
payments and include a verified oath regarding Crawford's abstinence
from any and all substance abuse and gambling; (4) for the first two years
following reinstatement, Crawford shall not engage in the solo practice of
law. Crawford shall work in affiliation with and under the supervision of
an established law office, and may not be the signatory on any trust and/or
operating account; (5) if Crawford elects to open his own practice at the
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end of two years, then Crawford's mentor shall review his trust and
operating accounts regularly for the final year of mentoring and ensure
that Crawford's salary restriction complies with the terms referenced
herein; (6) Crawford shall receive an annual salary of no more than
$25,000, with an increase of 5% each calendar year thereafter until full
restitution is made. The remainder of Crawford's salary shall go toward
restitution. Once full restitution is made, the salary cap shall be removed.
In the event of an emergency, Crawford may apply to the State Bar for
additional funds on a case-by-case basis and the State Bar shall have
absolute discretion whether to grant or deny the request, including to
grant the request for a different amount than requested; and (7) Crawford
shall pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding within one year of
reinstatement.
SCR 116(2) requires that an attorney seeking reinstatement
demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that he or she "has the
moral qualifications, competency, and learning in law required for
admission to practice law in this state, and that his or her resumption of
the practice of law will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of
the bar, to the administration of justice, or to the public interest."
Having reviewed the record and the documents on file in this
matter, we conclude that clear and convincing evidence supports the
panel's findings and conclusions. We therefore approve the panel's
recommendation that the petition be granted subject to conditions.
However, this court imposes the additional condition that Crawford
continue his gambling recovery efforts including regular attendance at
Gamblers Anonymous, alumni, and aftercare meetings. Crawford's
compliance with this condition shall be included in his semi-annual
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reporting to the State Bar. Accordingly, Douglas Crawford is hereby
reinstated to the practice of law, subject to the conditions set forth above.
Crawford shall pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding within one
year of this order. See SCR 120.
It is so ORDERED. 2
A-36tA , C.J.
Hardesty
Cherry
J.
Gibbons
2Crawford's motion, filed in Docket No. 51724, to recall the
remittitur and for leave to file a motion to modify suspension is denied as
moot.
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DOUGLAS, J., with whom, SAITTA, J., agrees, dissenting:
I am concerned with the lack of restitution paid by Crawford
to date. In addition, the condition providing that Crawford shall receive a
stipulated salary until the restitution is paid in full appears to be largely
unworkable and a potential hindrance to Crawford's recovery efforts.
Because of these concerns, I would deny reinstatement at this time.
Therefore, I dissent.
J.
I concur.
, •
Saitta
cc: Jeffrey Albregts, Chair, Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board
Michael J. Warhola, LLC
State Bar of Nevada/Las Vegas
Kimberly K. Farmer, Executive Director, State Bar of Nevada
Perry Thompson, Admissions Office, United States Supreme Court
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