Johnstone

Petitioner, a member in good standing of the State Bar since his admission in 1952, was charged with violating his oath and duties as an attorney (Bus. & Prof. Code, §§ 6103, 6067 and 60684, wilful violation of rule 9, Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California (commingling of funds), and with the commission of acts involving moral turpitude and dishonesty (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6106). Following hearings before and recommendations by a local administrative committee the Board of Governors of the State Bar found that petitioner wilfully mishandled certain funds received and held by him in trust, and recommended that he be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months.

Prior to March 1963 petitioner represented Mr. John Ensey in an action for personal injuries arising out of an industrial accident. Mr. Ensey had collected workmen’s *155 compensation benefits from the Industrial Indemnity Company during the period of his disability, and that company became entitled to a lien in the amount of $4,945.57 against any recovery which might be effected by petitioner in the personal injury action. (Lab. Code, §§ 3850 et seq.) Petitioner eventually…