In Re Cleland

The respondent in this attorney regulation case, James A. Cleland, admitted that he knowingly misappropriated funds belonging to his clients We have consistently held that disbarment is the appropriate sanction for this type of misconduct, unless significant extenuating cireumstances are present. No such circumstances exist in this case. Nevertheless, a hearing panel of our former grievance committee 1 accepted the findings and recommendation of a hearing board that Cleland should be suspended for three years, rather than disbarred, The complainant filed exceptions to the findings and…