Morrissey v. Virginia State Bar Ex Rel. Third District Committee

I

In this appeal of right by an attorney from an order of suspension, the central question is whether an excessive sanction was imposed.

H

A

A circuit court consisting of three judges appointed pursuant to Code § 54.1-3935 found Joseph Dee Morrissey, a member of the Virginia State Bar, guilty of one violation of Disciplinary Rule 7-105(A) and two violations of Disciplinary Rule 1-102(A)(3). The court received evidence in aggravation and mitigation, including Morrissey’s prior record of discipline. The court suspended Morrissey’s license to practice law in this Commonwealth for a period of three…