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Lawyer asleep in trash can- bar discipline?
Anonymous1 views3 answers
The media is reporting that Larry Wilder, an attorney, was found sleeping inside a trash can in front of his neighbor's house:
http://www.news-tribune.net/local/local_story_1...
He resigned, but my question is whether or not he's going to get in trouble with the bar. This is embarrassing, sure, and he may have an alcohol problem, but does this necessarily have anything to do with his ability to practice law?
The story is from Indiana, but your question is showing up in California, where the State Bar rules are different.
I am also unclear whether this guy "resigned" from his job, or from the Indiana State Bar.
The California State Bar does discipline attorneys who commit crimes or have substance abuse problems. There are several programs to assist lawyers with drug or alcohol issues, including The Other Bar, a peer support group.
Maybe is is due to the stress of the job, or maybe it's because a certain type of person is attracted to the legal profession, but attorneys experience drug and alcohol dependency at a higher rate than the general population. Every three years, every California attorney has to take a one hour class on detection and prevention of substance abuse as part of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirements.
Sounds like a temporary lapse, there were no criminal charges. He likely just needs some serious time off work. I do not think what was described would be the bar's concern.
