In Re Strick

The Review Department of the State Bar Court unanimously recommends that petitioner Bernard Sabbath Strick be disbarred based upon his conviction for criminal offenses involving moral turpitude. The hearing panel had proposed suspension for five years, the execution of which was to be stayed, and probation for five years with close supervision. Petitioner urges that the findings of fact, as adopted and amended by the review department, do not provide a basis for disbarment. He argues that the probation conditions proposed by the hearing panel are sufficient to protect the public, and that the sanction of disbarment serves only to punish him for crimes for which he has already been punished. While petitioner’s rehabilitation and demonstrated commitment to the practice of law are compelling, we conclude that the sanction of disbarment is appropriate under the circumstances. Thus, we adopt the recommendation of the review department.

This matter was previously before us in In re Strick (1983) 34 Cal.3d 891 [ 196 Cal.Rptr. 509 , 671 P.2d 1251 ], In that proceeding, the State Bar had recommended that petitioner be disbarred on the basis of his conviction in May 1980 of one…