Attorney Grievance Commission v. Burka

The issue presented here is whether, under the facts of this case, a psychiatrist’s diagnosis of "anxiety neurosis with associated depression” is a compelling extenuating circumstance such that it would warrant a sanction less severe than disbarment when an attorney has been found guilty of behavior involving fraud, deceit, or dishonesty.

The chain of events pertinent to resolution of this issue began in August of 1974. At that time Leonard Burka had a successful law practice in the District of Columbia and in the State of Maryland. He was apparently regarded as a respected practitioner who…