THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Complainant: v. KRISTIN MARIE MUSCATO, 47850 Respondent: ( 2024 )

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<div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-header header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Header" data-refglobal="case:peopleofthestateofcoloradovkristinmariemuscato,47850no24pdj047july30,2024"><p class="ldml-metadata">
1
</p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold"> <span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO</span> <span class="ldml-role">Complainant</span></span>: </b><b class="ldml-bold"> v. </b><b class="ldml-bold"> <span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">KRISTIN MARIE MUSCATO, #47850</span> <span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></span>: </b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">No. 24PDJ047</b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Colorado</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-date"><b class="ldml-bold">July 30, 2024</b></span></p></div>
<div class="ldml-syllabus"><p data-paragraph-id="211" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="211" data-sentence-id="227" class="ldml-sentence">The
Presiding Disciplinary Judge issued an opinion and approved
<span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span>' stipulation to discipline, publicly
censuring <span class="ldml-entity">Kristin Marie Muscato</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(attorney registration <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_227"><span class="ldml-cite">number
47850</span></a></span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="211" data-sentence-id="434" class="ldml-sentence">The public censure is effective <span class="ldml-entity">July 30, 2024</span>.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="481" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="481" data-sentence-id="497" class="ldml-sentence">While
representing two clients at the time <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> engaged in
misconduct underlying a separate disciplinary suspension,
Muscato failed to act with reasonable diligence, failed to
adequately communicate with her clients about the status of
the matters, and failed to obey <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> orders.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="481" data-sentence-id="808" class="ldml-sentence">In one of those
matters, <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> also failed to communicate the basis or rate of
her fee in writing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="481" data-sentence-id="917" class="ldml-sentence">Muscato's misconduct in the two
client representations was similar to, and contemporaneous in
time with, misconduct in another disciplinary case and was
largely driven by the same personal circumstances that
mitigated her misconduct in that matter.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="1190" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="1190" data-sentence-id="1206" class="ldml-sentence">Through
this conduct, Muscato violated <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.3</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer must
act with reasonable diligence</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer
must keep the client reasonably informed about the status of
the matter</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer must communicate the
basis or rate of fee in writing</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 3.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a
lawyer must not knowingly disobey <span class="ldml-entity">a court</span> <span class="ldml-opinionnote">order</span></span>)</span></span>.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="1602" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="1602" data-sentence-id="1618" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
case</span> file is public per <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 242.41<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1602" data-sentence-id="1672" class="ldml-sentence">Please see the
full opinion below.</span>
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="2" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_1713"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1713" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="1713" data-sentence-id="1736" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-refname">OPINION APPROVING STIPULATION TO DISCIPLINE UNDER</span>
<span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 242.19<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(C)</span></span></b></a></span></span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-opinion"><p data-paragraph-id="1805" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-4">
<span class="ldml-opinionauthor content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Opinion (BRYON
M. LARGE)"><span data-paragraph-id="1805" data-sentence-id="1822" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">BRYON
M. LARGE</span></span> PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE</span></span>
</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1872" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="1872" data-sentence-id="1888" class="ldml-sentence">Before
the Presiding Disciplinary Judge <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the <span class="ldml-entity">Court</span>"</span>)</span> is a
<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Stipulation to Discipline Pursuant to <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P.
242.19</span></a></span>"</span> filed on <span class="ldml-entity">June 3, 2024</span>, by <span class="ldml-entity">Jacob M. Vos</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Office
of Attorney Regulation <span class="ldml-entity">Counsel</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>"</span>)</span>, and
<span class="ldml-entity">Kristin Marie Muscato</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-localname"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span></span>"</span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1872" data-sentence-id="2169" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">June 28,
2024</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> held a hearing on the stipulation, during
which it invited further briefing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1872" data-sentence-id="2286" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">July 16, 2024</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the
People</span> filed a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Brief in Support of <span class="ldml-entity">the Parties</span>'
Stipulation."</span></span>
</p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-ordinal_end="1" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
I.
CASE NUMBER 23PDJ057
" data-specifier="I" data-ordinal_start="1" data-id="heading_2383" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" id="heading_2383" data-value="I.
CASE NUMBER 23PDJ057"><span data-paragraph-id="2383" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="2383" data-sentence-id="2399" class="ldml-sentence">I.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="2383" data-sentence-id="2402" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2399"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">CASE NUMBER 23PDJ057</em></span></a></span></span>
</span></section><p data-paragraph-id="2423" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="2423" data-sentence-id="2439" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">October 23, 2023</span>, in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2439"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">this Court</span>
approved a stipulation suspending <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> for six months,
all to be stayed pending her successful completion of a
two-year probation with conditions.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2423" data-sentence-id="2673" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was sanctioned
for misconduct that violated <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.3, Colo. RPC
1.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span>-<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span>, Colo. RPC 1.15A<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span>, Colo. RPC 1.15D, Colo. RPC
1.16<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2423" data-sentence-id="2864" class="ldml-sentence">Since the time that <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span>
approved that stipulation, <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> were alerted to and
investigated <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s conduct in two other
matters-the A.C. matter and the M.W. matter-that occurred
around the same time of her conduct underlying <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2864"><span class="ldml-cite">case number
23PDJ057</span></a></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-ordinal_end="2" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
II.
THE PARTIES' STIPULATION[]
" data-specifier="II" data-ordinal_start="2" data-id="heading_3156" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" id="heading_3156" data-value="II.
THE PARTIES' STIPULATION[]"><span data-paragraph-id="3156" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="3156" data-sentence-id="3172" class="ldml-sentence">II.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="3156" data-sentence-id="3176" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity">THE PARTIES</span>' STIPULATION</em><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN1" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN1">1</a>]</sup></span></span>
</span></section><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_3203" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
A.C.
Matter
" data-merge_confidence="medium" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_3203" data-value="A.C.
Matter"><span data-paragraph-id="3203" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="3203" data-sentence-id="3219" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis">A.C.
Matter</em></span>
</span></section><p data-paragraph-id="3237" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3253" class="ldml-sentence">In
<span class="ldml-entity">November 2022</span>, A.C. hired <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to represent her in an
allocation of parental responsibilities matter in <span class="ldml-entity">Weld
County</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3397" class="ldml-sentence">A.C. paid <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> a $3,500.00 retainer, to be
billed
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="3" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_3464"></span>
against hourly.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3487" class="ldml-sentence">The matter was set for an initial status
conference on <span class="ldml-entity">December 22, 2022</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3567" class="ldml-sentence">On that date, however, <span class="ldml-entity">the
court</span> presiding in that matter closed due to inclement
weather.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3670" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> ordered <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to reset the matter
within fourteen days or submit a status report.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3237" data-sentence-id="3773" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>
did neither.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="3803" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="3803" data-sentence-id="3819" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">April 27, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> issued a delay prevention notice
and order.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3803" data-sentence-id="3904" class="ldml-sentence">At the time, A.C.'s former spouse had not
filed a response to A.C.'s petition, and neither <span class="ldml-entity">party</span>
had yet filed the required financial disclosures.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3803" data-sentence-id="4063" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span>
cautioned that failure to set an initial status conference
would result in dismissal for failure to prosecute.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="3803" data-sentence-id="4196" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> set the initial status conference, as ordered.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="4254" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="4254" data-sentence-id="4270" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">May
26, 2023</span>, for the first time since the representation began
six months prior, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> sent A.C. an invoice for her
services.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4254" data-sentence-id="4423" class="ldml-sentence">In early <span class="ldml-entity">June 2023</span>, A.C. asked <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> for a
refund and terminated the representation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4254" data-sentence-id="4519" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> refused
to issue a refund, asserting that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> had earned the full
retainer.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_4618" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
M.W.
Matter
" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_4618" data-value="M.W.
Matter"><span data-paragraph-id="4618" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="4618" data-sentence-id="4634" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis">M.W.
Matter</em></span>
</span></section><p data-paragraph-id="4652" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="4652" data-sentence-id="4668" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">June
1, 2022</span>, M.W. filed a <span class="ldml-entity">pro se motion</span> against S.N. concerning
parenting time disputes.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4652" data-sentence-id="4773" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> in that matter entered a
contempt citation against S.N.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4652" data-sentence-id="4845" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">June 24, 2022</span>, M.W. hired
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to represent him, paying a $3,500.00 retainer.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="4652" data-sentence-id="4938" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> provided neither a basis nor a rate of her fee in
writing to M.W.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4652" data-sentence-id="5021" class="ldml-sentence">Nor did <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> specify the scope of the
representation.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="5080" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="5080" data-sentence-id="5096" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">August 28, 2022</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> granted S.N.'s motion to
restrict M.W.'s parenting time.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5080" data-sentence-id="5195" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">October 12, 2022</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the
court</span> appointed a child and family investigator and ordered
that a report be filed within 160 days.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="5332" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="5332" data-sentence-id="5348" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">December 2, 2022</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s office messaged M.W.,
stating that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s son, who had been hospitalized
for most of the prior month, had recently been readmitted.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5332" data-sentence-id="5538" class="ldml-sentence">In
mid-<span class="ldml-entity">December 2022</span>, M.W. requested an itemized invoice.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="5332" data-sentence-id="5602" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> replied on the same date, promising to call M.W.
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> also admitted that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> was behind on billing and
vowed to get M.W. an invoice soon, but <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> also advised M.W.
that his account balance was in the negative.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5332" data-sentence-id="5847" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> sent
M.W. a <span class="ldml-entity">request for payment</span> through her case management system
but did not send an itemized invoice, as <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> believed their
call obviated the need for an itemized invoice.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="6051" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="6051" data-sentence-id="6067" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">March 7, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> held a hearing to address parenting
time restrictions and disputes.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6051" data-sentence-id="6175" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">March 12, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>
issued a written order awarding attorney's fees and costs
to M.W. Two days later, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> ordered <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to file
an affidavit of attorney's fees and costs by <span class="ldml-entity">April 4,
2023</span>, and it notified <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> that failure to do so would
result in the issue being deemed abandoned.</span>
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="4" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_6513"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="6513" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="6513" data-sentence-id="6529" class="ldml-sentence">Around
<span class="ldml-entity">March 21, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was hospitalized for twenty-one
days due to sepsis.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6513" data-sentence-id="6627" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s office timely notified
M.W. of her hospitalization.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6513" data-sentence-id="6698" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> failed to file
the affidavit of attorney's fees and costs by the
deadline of <span class="ldml-entity">April 4, 2023</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6513" data-sentence-id="6817" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was released from the
hospital on <span class="ldml-entity">April 8, 2023</span>.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="6883" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="6883" data-sentence-id="6899" class="ldml-sentence">On
<span class="ldml-entity">April 19, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> appeared in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6883" data-sentence-id="6955" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>
orally moved for an extension of time to file the affidavit
of attorney's fees and costs.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6883" data-sentence-id="7068" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> denied the motion
but invited <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to file a motion under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 60</span></a></span>.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="6883" data-sentence-id="7161" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> did not file such a motion.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="7200" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="7200" data-sentence-id="7216" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">May
19, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> held a permanent orders hearing and
entered various orders.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7200" data-sentence-id="7315" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> also ordered <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to
file a proposed order of sanctions within fourteen days.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="7415" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="7431" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">May
27, 2023</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> informed M.W. that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> had waived
$3,125.00 in fees, which represented the awarded amount for
which <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> had failed to file a fee affidavit.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="7617" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>
advised M.W. to review the online case management portal and
pay the remaining balance shown in the invoice right away.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="7760" class="ldml-sentence">This was the first invoice <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> issued to M.W., even
though the representation began in <span class="ldml-entity">June 2022</span>, nearly one year
earlier.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="7902" class="ldml-sentence">That invoice reflected M.W. had paid a total of
$11,300.00 and had an outstanding balance of $8,417.75.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="8012" class="ldml-sentence">M.W.
replied, stating <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would pay <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> $800.00 after <span class="ldml-entity">she</span>
submitted the proposed sanctions order.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7415" data-sentence-id="8128" class="ldml-sentence">At the time, M.W.
operated under the belief that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> only needed $800.00
to complete <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> and that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would owe no money
thereafter.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="8290" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8306" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">June
2, 2023</span>, the date the proposed sanctions order was due, M.W.
texted <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to inquire if <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> was going to meet <span class="ldml-entity">the
court</span>'s deadline, which was quickly approaching.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8500" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> replied that if the document were filed by 11:59
p.m., it would be timely.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8592" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> also inquired about
payment.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8638" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">She</span> offered to remove the entire amount for the
contempt matter but required M.W. to pay the overdue balance.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8754" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> then filed the proposed sanctions order.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8290" data-sentence-id="8806" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">June
16, 2023</span>, M.W. terminated <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="8858" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="8858" data-sentence-id="8874" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s
invoice dated <span class="ldml-entity">May 27, 2023</span>, remains outstanding.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8858" data-sentence-id="8942" class="ldml-sentence">While
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> accurately tracked M.W.'s deposits into her
trust account, <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> failed to accurately track her withdrawals
related to M.W.'s matter.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8858" data-sentence-id="9109" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> is unable to produce
any relevant accounting records regarding those withdrawals.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_9208" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
The
Parties' Sanctions Analysis
" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_9208" data-value="The
Parties' Sanctions Analysis"><span data-paragraph-id="9208" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="9208" data-sentence-id="9224" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity">The
Parties</span>' Sanctions Analysis</em></span>
</span></section><p data-paragraph-id="9262" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="9262" data-sentence-id="9278" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
parties</span> stipulate that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s conduct in the A.C.
and M.W. matters violated <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.3</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer must act
with reasonable diligence</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer
must keep the client reasonably informed about the status of
the matter</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer must communicate the
basis or rate of the lawyer's fee in writing</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo.
RPC 3.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">a lawyer must not knowingly disobey <span class="ldml-entity">a court</span>
<span class="ldml-opinionnote">order</span></span>)</span></span>.</span>
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="5" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_9740"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="9740" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="9740" data-sentence-id="9756" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
parties</span> agree that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated her duty to
communicate, her duty to comply with <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> orders, her duty
to maintain required trust account records, and her duty to
provide her client with a written basis for the fee; that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span>
did so recklessly; and that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> harmed her relationships with
clients and impeded <span class="ldml-entity">the courts</span> from functioning efficiently.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="10152" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="10152" data-sentence-id="10168" class="ldml-sentence">To
establish a presumptive sanction for <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s
admitted misconduct, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> look to ABA
<em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em> 4.43 of the <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">American Bar Association</span>
<em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions</em></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"ABA
<em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards</em>"</span>)</span>,<span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN2" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN2">2</a>]</sup></span> which calls for public censure when a
lawyer negligently fails to act with reasonable diligence in
representing a client, thereby injuring or potentially
injuring a client.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10152" data-sentence-id="10588" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> also rely on ABA
<em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em> 6.23, which provides that public censure is
generally appropriate when a lawyer negligently fails to
comply with <span class="ldml-entity">a court</span> order or rule, thereby injuring or
potentially injuring a client or interfering or potentially
interfering with a legal proceeding.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10152" data-sentence-id="10909" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> agree that
three aggravating factors under ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em> 9.22
should apply, including <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.22<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> for prior
disciplinary offenses, which <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> agree should be afforded
moderate weight<span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.22<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span></span> for a pattern of
misconduct, which <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> agree should be given moderate weight;
and <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.22<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span> for multiple offenses, which
<span class="ldml-entity">they</span> agree warrants average weight.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10152" data-sentence-id="11333" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> also agree
that three mitigating factors under ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em>
9.32 should apply: <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.32<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span> for
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s absence of a dishonest or selfish motive,
which <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> agree should carry average weight<span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span>
<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.32<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span></span> for <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s personal or
emotional problems, which <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> agree should be afforded
significant weight; and <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">9.32<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></a></span> for
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s cooperative attitude toward proceedings,
which <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> agree should be given average mitigating
credit.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10152" data-sentence-id="11875" class="ldml-sentence">Based on these elements, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> ask <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> to
publicly censure <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="11964" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="11964" data-sentence-id="11980" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
parties</span> also observe that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s misconduct in the
A.C. and M.W. matters occurred in the same timeframe as her
misconduct in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11980"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>, that it implicates
similar rules, and that it was largely driven by the same
family health crises that contributed to the misconduct in
the earlier case.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11964" data-sentence-id="12327" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">They</span> argue that if <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> had known
about the A.C. and M.W. matters at the time <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> investigated
<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12327"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> likely would have resolved
them through a global resolution in <span class="ldml-entity">that case</span> for a six-month
stayed suspension.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11964" data-sentence-id="12595" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> contend that the public
censure here thus serves to notify the public of
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s additional misconduct while the stayed
suspension and probationary terms in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12595"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>
adequately address that misconduct.</span>
</p></div></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-id="heading_12850" data-parsed="true" data-content-heading-label="
III.
ANALYSIS
" data-specifier="III" data-ordinal_end="3" data-ordinal_start="3" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-confidences="very_high" id="heading_12850" data-types="analysis" data-value="III.
ANALYSIS"><span data-paragraph-id="12850" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="12850" data-sentence-id="12866" class="ldml-sentence">III.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="12850" data-sentence-id="12871" class="ldml-sentence"><em class="ldml-emphasis">ANALYSIS</em></span>
</span></section><p data-paragraph-id="12880" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="12880" data-sentence-id="12896" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
Court</span> begins its analysis by noting its authority to exercise
discretion in rejecting or approving stipulations in
accordance with the considerations governing imposition of
disciplinary sanctions.</span><span data-paragraph-id="12880" data-sentence-id="13121" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN3" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN3">3</a>]</sup></span> Indeed, the <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado Supreme Court</span> has
granted <span class="ldml-entity">this Court</span> wide
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="6" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_13198"></span>
discretion and flexibility in assigning sanctions when
adjudicating lawyer misconduct.</span><span data-paragraph-id="12880" data-sentence-id="13297" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN4" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN4">4</a>]</sup></span> When reviewing stipulations, <span class="ldml-entity">the
Court</span> endeavors to honor <span class="ldml-entity">parties</span>' agreements and is
favorably inclined to accept targeted and proportionate
agreements that protect the public and promote confidence in
the legal profession.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="13548" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="13548" data-sentence-id="13564" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
parties</span> agree that <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> should impose public censure,
leaning heavily on ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards</em> 4.43 and 6.23.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13548" data-sentence-id="13687" class="ldml-sentence">But
those <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards</em> apply only when a lawyer acts with a
negligent mental state.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13548" data-sentence-id="13780" class="ldml-sentence">Here, however, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> agree that
<span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> acted with a reckless mental state, which, for
purposes of applying the ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards</em>, equates to a
knowing mental state.</span><span data-paragraph-id="13548" data-sentence-id="13968" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN5" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN5">5</a>]</sup></span>As such, a proper analysis must begin with
<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname">ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em></span> <span class="ldml-cite">4.42<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>, which provides for suspension
when a lawyer knowingly fails to perform services for a
client and causes injury or potential injury to a client, as
well as ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standard</em> 6.22, which provides for
suspension when a lawyer knows that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> is violating <span class="ldml-entity">a court</span>
order and causes injury or potential injury to a client or
causes interference or potential interference with a legal
proceeding.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13548" data-sentence-id="14467" class="ldml-sentence">Under these <em class="ldml-emphasis">Standards</em>, suspension, not
public censure, is the appropriate baseline for a sanctions
analysis.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="14588" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="14588" data-sentence-id="14604" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The
parties</span>' alternative argument for public censure is
better grounded legally and equitably.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14588" data-sentence-id="14711" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> argue that
if <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> had been aware of <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s misconduct
in the A.C. and M.W. matters during their investigation in
<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14711"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>, the misconduct here would have been
included in a global resolution.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14588" data-sentence-id="14964" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">They</span> argue that the
probationary conditions in <span class="ldml-entity">that case</span> adequately address the
misconduct at issue here.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14588" data-sentence-id="15082" class="ldml-sentence">And <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> stress that public censure
both protects the public by putting it on notice of this
misconduct and avoids imposing needless additional conditions
that serve no regulatory objective.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="15291" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="15291" data-sentence-id="15307" class="ldml-sentence">In
reviewing <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15307"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span> as well as the stipulated
facts here, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> agrees with <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> that it would
likely have approved the stipulation in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15307"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 23PDJ057</span></a></span>
with similar terms even if these two matters were included.</span>
<span data-paragraph-id="15291" data-sentence-id="15572" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> also agrees with <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> that an additional
period of suspension or supplemental probation requirements
would serve no practical purpose in this circumstance.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15291" data-sentence-id="15757" class="ldml-sentence">And
<span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> agrees that public censure puts the public on
notice of <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s misconduct.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15291" data-sentence-id="15864" class="ldml-sentence">In short, <span class="ldml-entity">the
parties</span>' equitable resolution satisfies the interests of
justice.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="15956" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="15972" class="ldml-sentence">Though
<span class="ldml-entity">this case</span> bears an uncommon posture, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> is aware of
<span class="ldml-entity">other cases</span> that offer guidance in this matter.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="16098" class="ldml-sentence">In <em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity">People</span>
v. Rodriguez</em>, the <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado Supreme Court</span> declined to
impose a six-month reciprocal suspension where the lawyer,
whose license was suspended for ninety days, had already
served over two years without seeking
reinstatement.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="16359" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN6" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN6">6</a>]</sup></span> Because the <em class="ldml-emphasis">Rodriguez</em> <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> found
that no good purpose would be served by imposing an
additional period
<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-val="7" data-page_type="bare_number" data-id="pagenumber_16483"></span>
of suspension, it instead publicly censured the
lawyer.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="16551" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN7" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN7">7</a>]</sup></span> In <em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity">People</span> v. Cain</em>, the <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado
Supreme Court</span> publicly censured a suspended lawyer after the
lawyer engaged in the unauthorized practice of law during his
suspension.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="16738" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN8" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN8">8</a>]</sup></span> The lawyer had never reinstated from a
ninety-day suspension, resulting in an actual period of
suspension of nearly eight years.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="16881" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN9" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN9">9</a>]</sup></span> Though the lawyer's
misconduct ordinarily warranted suspension, the <em class="ldml-emphasis">Cain</em>
<span class="ldml-entity">court</span> publicly censured the lawyer, determining that an
additional period of suspension was unnecessary because the
lawyer was already required to pass the bar examination
before petitioning to reinstate from his
suspension.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="17211" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN10" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN10">10</a>]</sup></span> Finally, in <em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-entity">People</span> v. Field</em>, a
lawyer was publicly censured for misconduct that occurred
during the same period as other misconduct underlying the
lawyer's prior six-month suspension.</span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="17415" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN11" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN11">11</a>]</sup></span> The <span class="ldml-entity">Colorado
Supreme Court</span> held, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"If the misconduct in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span> had
occurred <em class="ldml-emphasis">after</em> Field had been disciplined with the
suspension, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> would reject a public censure as too
lenient."</span></span><span data-paragraph-id="15956" data-sentence-id="17623" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ftn.FN12" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-ftn.FN12">12</a>]</sup></span></span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="17626" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="17626" data-sentence-id="17642" class="ldml-sentence">Thus,
in accordance with this precedent and in <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span>'s
favorable exercise of discretion, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> concludes that
public censure is an appropriate resolution in this limited
circumstance.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="17626" data-sentence-id="17858" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> therefore APPROVES the stipulation.</span>
</p><p data-paragraph-id="17904" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="17904" data-sentence-id="17905" class="ldml-sentence">---------</span>
</p></div></div><div class="ldml-notes content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Footnotes"><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="17915" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="17915" data-sentence-id="17916" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN1" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN1">1</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The parties</span> stipulate to the facts
recited in <span class="ldml-entity">this section</span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="17985" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="17985" data-sentence-id="17986" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN2" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN2">2</a>]</sup></span> Found in ABA <em class="ldml-emphasis">Annotated Standards
for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions</em> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">2d ed. 2019</span></a></span>)</span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18073" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18073" data-sentence-id="18074" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN3" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN3">3</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 242.19<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18097" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18097" data-sentence-id="18098" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN4" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN4">4</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:inthematterofattorneyfno11sa343285p3d322,2012co57sept10,2012"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-refname">In re Att'y F.</span>,</em> <span class="ldml-cite">2012 CO
57</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 19</span></a></span></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18141" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18141" data-sentence-id="18142" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN5" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN5">5</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </em><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_18209" data-refglobal="case:inthematterofattorneycno01sa1947p3d1167may13,2002"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">In re Att'y C.</em></span>, <span class="ldml-cite">47
P.3d 1167, 1173 n.11</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2002</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"With one
exception-misappropriation of client funds-<span class="ldml-entity">we</span> have equated
<span class="ldml-quotation quote">'reckless'</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">'knowing'</span> conduct for
analyzing the appropriate sanction."</span></span>)</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<em class="ldml-emphasis"><span class="ldml-cert">citing</span> </em><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/893509774" data-vids="893509774" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname"><em class="ldml-emphasis">People
v. Small</em></span>, <span class="ldml-cite">962 P.2d 258, 260</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span><span class="ldml-date">1998</span>)</span></a></span>)</span></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18434" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18434" data-sentence-id="18435" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN6" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN6">6</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/887575690" data-vids="887575690" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">937 P.2d 1210, 1211</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span>
<span class="ldml-date">1997</span>)</span></a></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18472" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18472" data-sentence-id="18473" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN7" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN7">7</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/887575690" data-vids="887575690" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18480" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18480" data-sentence-id="18481" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN8" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN8">8</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895367306" data-vids="895367306" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">957 P.2d 346, 347</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span>
<span class="ldml-date">1998</span>)</span></a></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18516" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18516" data-sentence-id="18517" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN9" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN9">9</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895367306" data-vids="895367306" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18524" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18524" data-sentence-id="18525" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN10" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN10">10</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895367306" data-vids="895367306" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id.</em></span></a></span></span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18532" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18532" data-sentence-id="18533" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN11" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN11">11</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/886917092" data-vids="886917092" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">967 P.2d 1035, 1036-37</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span>
<span class="ldml-date">1998</span>)</span></a></span>.</span>
</p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="18573" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18573" data-sentence-id="18574" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical"><sup class="ldml-superscript">[<a href="#note-ref-ftn.FN12" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-ftn.FN12">12</a>]</sup></span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/886917092" data-vids="886917092" class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite"><em class="ldml-emphasis">Id</em>. at 1037</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphasis in
original</span>)</span></span>.</span>
</p></div></div><p data-paragraph-id="18619" class="ldml-paragraph ">
<span data-paragraph-id="18619" data-sentence-id="18620" class="ldml-sentence">---------</span>
</p>
</div></div>
</div>
</div>