In Re the Discipline of Hartke

The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition and amended petition with this court, alleging that Respondent, Jerrold M. Hartke, committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline. In the petitions, the Director alleges four counts of improper conduct involving several clients: (1) mishandling of client funds; (2) conflict of interest; (3) continuing pattern of neglect; and (4) failure to honor a fee arbitration. The Honorable Harlan L. Nelson conducted a referee hearing on the petitions on March 17,18, and 19, 1994. On April 22, 1994 the…