In the Matter of Robert James Hardy

Summary

The court held that Hardy violated Rule 8.4(g) by making biased and prejudicial statements while acting in a professional capacity, and that his conduct also violated Rules 4.4(a) and 8.2(a). It adopted an objective, contextual substantial-connection test for determining when a lawyer acts in a professional capacity and imposed a 180-day suspension with automatic reinstatement. Justice Goff concurred in part and dissented in part, believing the suspension should not include automatic reinstatement.