The People of the State of Colorado v. John Palmer Waters

Summary

The Hearing Board found that Waters violated the confidentiality, trust-account, conversion, and recordkeeping rules, but did not violate the written-fee-agreement rule because he provided an accurate written agreement within thirty days. It concluded that Waters knowingly converted unearned client funds, and that his remorse, cooperation, short conversion period, and restitution were insufficient to overcome the presumptive sanction of disbarment. The Board ordered disbarment, compliance with winding-up and affidavit requirements, and payment of proceeding costs.