In Re Sims

This is a disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Oregon State Bar. The accused was charged with signing his client’s name to the verification of a response in a marriage dissolution and notarizing the client’s signature.

The facts are not disputed.

The accused was admitted to the Oregon Bar in 1974 and opened his office in southern Oregon in August or September of 1975. Except for a small amount of criminal work, he was completely inexperienced in the practice of law. He had no secretary and did his own secretarial work either in the evenings after hours or in the mornings before opening the…