In Re Complaint as to the Conduct of Phinney

In this lawyer disciplinary proceeding, the Bar alleged that the accused, who admitted taking substantial funds from the Yale Alumni Association of Oregon, violated Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC) 8.4(a)(2), which prohibits criminal conduct that reflects adversely on a lawyer’s honesty and trustworthiness, and RPC 8.4(a)(3), which prohibits conduct involving dishonesty and misrepresentation that reflects adversely on a lawyer’s fitness to practice law. The trial panel found that the accused had violated both rules and imposed the sanction of disbarment. The accused appealed, arguing for a…