Utah State Bar v. Bates

On Direct Appeal

Justice Durham,

opinion of the Court:

INTRODUCTION

¶1 The Utah State Bar’s Office of Professional Conduct (OPC) appeals from a final judgment of the Third District Court suspending Abraham Bates from the practice of law for a period of five months for violating rules 1.4(a), 1.15(a), and 1.15(d) of the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct. The OPC asks this court to elevate Mr. Bates’ sanction from suspension to disbarment, by inferring from the district court’s factual findings that Mr. Bates acted both “knowingly” and “with the intent to benefit” from his misconduct. We affirm…