In re Lakin, 19-BG-486

217 A.3d 716

IN RE John F. LAKIN

A Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Bar Registration No. 474460

No. 19-BG-486

District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

FILED- October 3, 2019

ORDER

PER CURIAM

On consideration of the certified order of the Supreme Court of Florida suspending respondent from the practice of law in that state for a period of two years; the June 17, 2019, order suspending respondent from the practice of law in this jurisdiction and directing him to show cause why the functional-equivalent reciprocal discipline in the form of a two-year suspension with fitness should not be imposed; respondent's response to the order; and the statement of Disciplinary Counsel regarding reciprocal discipline and the reply thereto; and it appearing that respondent filed the required D.C. Bar R. XI, § 14(g) affidavit on June 23, 2019, it is

ORDERED that John F. Lakin is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia for a period of two years, nunc pro tunc to June 23, 2019, with reinstatement contingent on a showing of fitness to practice law. To the extent respondent attempts to challenge the imposition of reciprocal discipline by requesting this court impose the referee's recommendation as to his disciplinary sanction, such a challenge is akin to challenging the foreign discipline, and such a challenge is improper in reciprocal disciplinary proceedings, see In re Zdravkovich , 831 A.2d 964, 969 (D.C. 2003) ("Put simply, reciprocal discipline proceedings are not a forum to reargue the foreign discipline."). Further, to the extent respondent argues that his actions would not constitute an ethical violation in this jurisdiction or that this jurisdiction would impose a substantially different and reduced sanction, he is mistaken. Respondent's ethical violations were premised on his actions while he was a sitting judge. While presiding in a civil jury trial matter, he accepted and requested gifts from an attorney for one of ...