In Re Complaint as to the Conduct of Harris

In this lawyer disciplinary proceeding, we address the question left open in In re Devers, 328 Or 230, 233-34, 974 P2d 191 (1999), whether a lawyer has a constitutional right to appointed counsel in a disciplinary proceeding. We conclude that an accused lawyer has no such constitutional right, and, further, we decline to require the appointment of counsel under our general authority over lawyer disciplinary matters. Also, we agree with the decision of the trial panel of the Disciplinary Board to disbar the accused.

We begin with a review of the proceedings below and in this court. In eight…