Order Approaching Conditional Guilty Plea Agreement - Marc Randazza

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETS

SUFFOLK, SS. SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT

FOR SUFFOLK COUNTRY

NO: BD-2018-110

IN RE: MARC JOHN RANDAZZA

ORDER OF TERM SUSPENSION/STAYED

This matter came before the Court, Gaziano, J., on a Petition for Reciprocal Discipline pursuant to S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 16, and the Order entered in the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada filed by the Office of Bar Counsel on December 11, 2018.

On December 12, 2018, an Order of Notice issued was served on the lawyer in the manner specified in S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 21, directing him to inform the Court within thirty (30) days why the imposition of the identical discipline would be unwarranted in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On January 15, 2019, the lawyer filed his response to the petition and a hearing was scheduled for March 26, 2019. On March 26, 2019, counsel for the lawyer filed a motion to continue the hearing, which was allowed by this Court and the hearing was rescheduled for May 2, 2019. Bar Counsel's reply to the lawyer's response was file by Acting Bar Counsel on April 2, 2019, and the lawyer then filed his memorandum in response to Acting Bar Counsel's reply on April 26, 2019.

Upon consideration thereof, and after a hearing attended by acting bar counsel, the lawyer and his counsel;

It is ordered that:

Marc John Randazza is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a period of twelve (12) months, with the execution of the suspension stayed for a period of eighteen (18) months, retroactive to October 10, 2018, conditioned upon the lawyer's compliance with the Order entered in the Supreme Court of Nevada, attached hereto and incorporated herein.

After eighteen (18) months from October 10, 2018, the lawyer may file an affidavit of compliance with the Office of Bar Counsel and the Clerk of Supreme Judicial Court for the Country of Suffolk, that he has complied with this Order. Upon receipt, and with the assent of the office of Bar Counsel, the lawyer may then request that this court issue an order that he is no longer subject to the twelve (12) month suspension for the misconduct that gave rise to the instant petition for discipline.

By the Court, (Gaizano, J.)

Assistant Clerk

Entered: May 14, 2019

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA

IN THE MATTER OF DISCIPLINE OF

MARC J. RANDAZZA, BAR NO. 12265

ORDER IN APPROVING CONDITIONAL GUILTY PLEA AGREEMENT

This is an automatic review of a Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board hearing panel's recommendation that this court approve, pursuant to SCR 113, a conditional guilty plea agreement in exchange for a stated form of discipline for attorney Marc J. Randazza. Under the agreement, Randazza admitted to violating RPC 1.8(a) (conflict of interest: current clients: specific rules) and RPC 5.6 (restriction on right to practice) in exchange for a 12-month suspension, stayed for a period of 18 months subject to conditions.

Randazza has admitted to the facts and the violations alleged in two counts set forth in the amended complaint. The record therefore establishes that Randazza violated the above-listed rules by loaning money to his client without informing the client in writing of the desirability of obtaining independent counsel, and by negotiating with the opposing counsel to receive, as part of a settlement, a retainer for future legal services.

As Randazza admitted to the violations as part of the plea agreement, the issue for this court is whether the agreed-upon discipline ___________________

In exchange for Randazza's guilty plea, the State Bar agreed to dismiss the remaining seven counts in the amended complaint.

sufficiently protects the public, the courts, and the legal profession. State Bar of Nev. v. Claiborne, 104 Nev. 115, 213, 756 P.2d 464, 527-28 (1988) (explaining purpose of attorney discipline). In determining the appropriate discipline, we weigh four factors: "the duty violated, the lawyer's metal state, the potential or actual injury caused by the lawyer's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating and mitigating factors." In re Discipline of Lerner, 124 Nev. 1232, 1246, 197 P.3d 1067, 1077 (2008).

Randazza has admitted to violating duties owed to his client (conflict of interest) and the legal profession (restrictions on right to practice), and the admitted facts reflect that the misconduct was knowing. His conduct may have caused a delay in the disbursement of settlement funds to his client. The baseline sanctions for both rule violations, before considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances, is suspension. Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, Compendium of Professional Responsibility Rules and Standards, Standard 4.32 (Am. Bar Ass'n 2017) (providing that suspension is appropriate when a lawyer "knows of a conflict of interest and does not fully disclose to a client the possible effect of that conflict, and causes injury or potential injury to a client"); id. Standard 7.2 (providing that suspension is appropriate when a lawyer "knowingly engages in conduct that is a violation of duty owed as a professional and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the public, or the legal system"). The record supports one aggravating circumstances (substantial experience in the practice of law) and three mitigating circumstances (absence of prior disciplinary record, full and free disclosure to disciplinary authority or cooperative attitude toward proceeding, and delay in disciplinary proceedings). Considering all the factors, we conclude that the agreed-upon discipline is appropriate.

Accordingly, we hereby suspend Marc J. Randazza for 12 months, stayed for 18 months commencing on the date of this order, subject to the following conditions: (1) Randazza shall "stay out of trouble" during the probationary period, "meaning that he will have no new grievance arising out of conduct post-dating the date of the plea which results in the imposition of actual discipline ( a Letter of Reprimand or above, SCR 102) against him"; (2) he shall successfully complete 20 hours of CLE in ethics in addition to his normal CLE requirements during the probationary period; (3) he shall seek the advice and approval of an independent and unaffiliated ethics attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before obtaining any conflicts of interest waivers during the probationary period; and (4) he shall pay the actual cost of the disciplinary proceeding, including $2,500 under SCR 120, within 30 days of this court's order, if he has not done so already. The State Bar shall comply with SCR 121.1

It is so ORDERED.

C.J. Douglas

J. Cherry

J. Gibbons

J. Pickering

J. Hardesty

J. Parraguirre

J. Stiglich

cc: Chair, Southern Nevada Disciplinary Panel

Gentile, Cristalli, Miller, Armeni & Savarese, PLLC

Bar Counsel, State Bar of Nevada

Kimberly K. Farmer, Executive Director, State Bar of Nevada

Perry Thompson, Admissions Office, U.S. Supreme Court