In re Grella

At issue in this case is the appropriate disciplinary sanction for a member of the bar convicted of a misdemeanor arising from his violent assault on his estranged wife. The matter commenced on May 16, 2000, when bar counsel notified the county court that the respondent, Paul J. Grella, had been convicted of assault and battery.1 A single justice remanded the matter to the Board of Bar Overseers (board) for further proceedings, whereupon bar counsel filed a petition for discipline alleging that the respondent had violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 8.4 (b) and (h), 426 Mass. 1429 (1998).2

*48Hearings were…