In the Disciplinary Matter Involving Ward M. Merdes, Attorney.

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court upheld findings that Ward Merdes intentionally transferred assets from his former law firm to himself and a new firm to hinder a former client's recovery and falsely represented that the former firm lacked funds to pay. Applying independent judgment to discipline, the court concluded that the recommended one-year suspension was too lenient and imposed a four-year suspension plus $3,000 in costs and fees. The opinion contains no separate writings.