The People of the State of Colorado, Complainant v. John A. McNamara, Respondent

Summary

The Hearing Board found that McNamara knowingly failed to pay court-ordered child support, negligently converted a client's retainer before establishing authority to use it, and failed to maintain required trust-accounting records. It rejected allegations that he filed a frivolous contempt proceeding, acted incompetently or dishonestly in the other matters, or violated diligence and accounting rules based on the juvenile representation. Because the misconduct was aggravated by substantial obstruction of discovery and disciplinary proceedings, the Board imposed a one-year-and-one-day suspension, stayed except for three months, followed by reinstatement and probation conditions.