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Sandoval v. Commission For Lawyer Discipline6/8/2000
Based on a jury's verdict, the trial judge found that Mark T. Sandoval committed professional misconduct inviolationof Rule 8.03(a)(3) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and imposed a three year suspension from the practice of law. In four issues, Sandoval argues the trial judge erred in denying his plea in abatement and allowing evidence to be introduced concerning his alleged failure to provide informationto the grievance committee; the evidence was legally and factually insufficient; and the penalty imposed was excessive and an abuse of discretion. We affirm.
Background Facts
Shauntrell Moses retained Sandoval to represent her in the wrongful death of her child, and subsequently hired him to represent her son's biological father, John E. Williams, in a criminalmatter. After being retained by Moses, Sandoval represented to the wrongful-death defendant's insurance carrier that he represented both Williams and Moses in the wrongful-death suit. Sandoval later settled the wrongful- death case for $168,750. The settlement check was made payable to Moses, Williams and Sandoval. During the time Sandoval represented himself as Williams' attorney in the wrongful death claim, Williams was in the Harris County Jail.
Williams, however did not hire Sandoval to represent him in the wrongful death action. He never signed a Power of Attorney or employment contract with Sandoval regarding the death of his son. Additionally, Williams never authorized Sandoval to represent him, to act on his behalf, sign settlement papers, sign settlement drafts, or to represent to anyone that Sandoval was his attorney and/or was entitled to act on his behalf in the matter of his son's death.
Although the check was endorsed and negotiated, Williams never signed the check. Additionally, Williams never signed the release, which was notarized by Sandoval's legal secretary and approved by Sandoval. His signature was forged on the check and on the release.
Sandoval argued at trial he had a Power of Attorney from Williams, but this document was never produced. Additionally, the Final Settlement Statement Sandoval prepared is signed only by Shauntrell Moses and is styled "Final Settlement Statement: Shauntrell Moses." The check Sandoval made payable to himself for his fees only includes Moses' name. This check also includes a $10,000 invoice for Sandoval's representation of Williams in his criminal matter. However, Sandoval was fired before the case was concluded. Also, Sandoval's check to Moses had only her name as payee and in the memo portion of the check. There was no mention of Williams.
The Commission initiated disciplinary proceedings against Sandoval based uponthis conduct, which led to the jury trial. The jury found Sandoval had not entered into an attorney-client relationship with Williams and found Sandoval engaged inconduct involvingdishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation. Points of Error
In his first issue, Sandoval argues the trial court erred in denying his plea in abatement, which raised procedural complaints regarding the Disciplinary Commission's pre-suit actions. At Sandoval's request, this case was governed by Part III of the Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. See Diaz v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline, 953 S.W.2d 435,437 (Tex. App.-Austin 1997, no pet.). As the Austin Court of Appeals in Diaz stated regarding pre-suit actions of the Disciplinary Commission:
he various provisions in Part III make it quite clear that district court proceedings thereunder are original and independent proceedings. They are not proceedings in which the court is called upon to review an action taken in the admini
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