Catherine P. Bausha (2013)

theHearings Committee; and To aproceedingbeforetheProfessionalConductCommitteeon issuesdecidedby

submittedtotheProfessionalConductCommittee,Rule37A(III)(d); c. To awrittenreportoftheHearingPanelsettingforthitsfindingsoffact,tobe

andconvincingevidence,Rule37A(III)(c); AttorneyDisciplineOfficewouldhavetheburdenofprovingthechargesby clear Baushacouldberepresentedby counseland contestthecharges,andatwhichthe b. To haveanevidentiaryhearingbeforetheHearingsCommittee,atwhichMs.

Discipline Office ("the ADO"). a. To fileany furtherAnswerstoanychargingdocumentsissuedby theAttorney

rights:

rightsunderNew HampshireSupremeCourtRule37and 37A,includingbutnotlimitedtoher

ExhibitA. IntheStipulation,Ms. Baushawaivedany andallof herproceduraland substantive

ConsenttoDisbarmentEffectiveJuly1,2013 ("TheStipulation"),a copyofwhichisattachedas

On May 21,2013,theProfessionalConductCommitteereviewedtheStipulationand

Bausha, Catherine P. advs. VirginiaKern #11-071 Bausha, Catherine P. advs. Stephen Ward #11-021 Bausha,CatherineP.advs.AttorneyDisciplineOffice#10-022

Richard H. Darling* Holly B. Fazzino,Administrator Alan J. Cronheim * non attorney member Thomas P. Connair LisaWellman-Ally Susan R. Chollet* Martha Van Oot Toni M. Gray,* Vice Chair 603-224-5828 ♦ Fax 228-9511 Richard D. Sager BenettePizzimenti,Vice Chair Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Heather E. Krans David M. Rothstein,Chair 4 Chenell Drive,Suite102 ElaineHolden*

HampshireSupremeCourt.The CourtgrantedthePetitionby OrderofFebruary11, TrustAccountsand OperatingAccountsandAppointmentofAuditorwiththeNew 5. On February9,2011,theADO filedaPetitionforProductionofRecords,Auditof

4. Ms. Baushaisnotadmittedtopracticelawinany otherjurisdictions.

ofCatherineP.Bausha,PLLC, P.O.Box 381,New Boston,New Hampshire. 3. SinceapproximatelyMay 2010,Ms. BaushahasbeenpracticingattheLaw Office

2010,following which the firm was dissolved. 2. Ms. Baushawas terminatedfrom theMcKenney & Baushalawfirmon April21,

Bausha,P.C.withofficesinAmherst,New Hampshire. proceeding,Ms. Baushawas aminoritypartneratthelawfirmofMcKenney & was admittedtopracticein1997.Duringmostof the timerelevantto this 1. Ms. Baushaisan attorneylicensedtopracticelawinNew Hampshire.Ms. Bausha

supportsthefollowingfactualfindingsby clearandconvincingevidence:

Baushaandhercounsel,StephenL. Tober,and by DeputyGeneralCounselJamesL. Kruse,

The ProfessionalConductCommitteehasdeterminedthattheStipulation,executedby Ms.

ProfessionalConductCommitteemakes factualfindingsand rulingsoflawasdetailedbelow: votedtorecommend thedisbarmentofCatherineP.BaushaeffectiveJuly1,2013.The CommitteevotedtoaccepttheStipulationand ConsentforDisbarmentEffectiveJuly1,2013,and Afterreviewof theStipulationtheRecordanddeliberations,theProfessionalConduct HeatherE. Krans and LisaWellman-AUy wereabsent. Holden,RichardD. Sager,andMarthaVan Oot.BenettePizzimenti,Vice Chairwasrecused. Chair,Thomas P.Connair,SusanR. Chollet,AlanJ.Cronheim,RichardH. Darling,Elaine above-referencedmatter.Members presentwereDavidM. Rothstein,Chair,ToniM. Gray,Vice The ProfessionalConduct Committee further reviewed the Record anddeliberatedon the

See Stipulation1ffll4-15.

sanctionor to anappealof theProfessionalConductCommittee'sdisposition. To afurtherproceedingbeforetheNew HampshireSupremeCourtregarding p. 3 Page 3 of8

DisciplineOffice. new documentswithfalseexecutionstobothsuccessorcounseland Attorney misrepresentedtheextenttowhichshealteredoriginaldocumentsand/orprepared manner, and authenticity and authorityoftheir execution; and that she Court,withouttheknowledgeorconsentofherclients,and misrepresentedthedate, that she hadpreparedand filedpleadingsand other documents with theProbate misrepresentedthestatusofthePetitionforProbateAdministrationtoherclients; Stephenand HerveyWard, inadministeringtheirmother'sestate;that shehad ADO #11-021,allegingfailuretodiligentlyand competentlyrepresentherclients, 11. Ms. Baushahasadmittedthefactssetforthinffi[3-36oftheNoticeofChargesin

funds by pay operating expensesofherfirm. shortfallin her firm's trustaccountresultingfrom Ms. Bausha's misuseofclient to herclient'sspouse,VirginiaKern,fromthesaleofthemaritalhome,due to a ofChargesin ADO#11-071,allegingthatsheimproperlyfailedtodisbursefunds 10. Ms. BaushahasadmittedthefactualallegationssetforthinfTf12-15oftheNotice

impropertransactions. and created false accounting documents and entries to facilitate or conceal the documentation,priorto thegenerationofan invoiceand/orperformingtheservices, accountsmaintainedbyherlaw firmtothefirm'soperatingaccountwithoutproper Changes in ADO #10-022allegingthat shetransferredfunds from the client trust 9. Ms. Baushahasadmittedthefactualallegationssetforthin1fl[4-11oftheNoticeof

Stephen Ward docketed onFebruary9,2011). and Amended NoticeofChargesissuedApril1,2013,case#11-021(complaintby Kern on September24,2011),withincorporatedAuditReportdatedJuly16,2012, (ADO ComplaintdocketedMay 11,2010)and #11-071(ComplaintfiledbyVirginia DisciplineOffice'sNoticeofChargesissuedNovember 28, 2012, case #10-022 clearandconvincingevidenceineachcasearesetforthindetailin the Attorney 8. The factspertinenttoeachcasewhichcouldestablishMs. Bausha'smisconductby

theunderlyingprobate court matter. interviewing the Complainant and other witnesses, and obtaining court records from Bausha,Catherine P. advs. Stephen Ward -#11-021 by collectingthe client file, 7. In addition to the audit report,the ADO conducted itsown factualinvestigation in

submittedan AuditReportdated July16,2012. 2009, toNovember 30,2011 (audit period). Mr. Calamancompletedthe audit and an auditofrecordsofeachofthe firm's accounts,coveringthe periodJanuary1, 6. Pursuant to the Court'sOrder,ADO StaffAuditor,Craig Calaman,CPA, performed

2011. In theMatter ofCatherine P. Bausha,ADM-2011-0026. p. 4 Page 4of8

misconduct. See StipulationTJ13.Both case law and theAmerican Bar Association's Standardsfor

her disbarment from the practiceoflaw, effective July1,2013,is theappropriatesanction for her

severityofthemisconduct." Coffey's Case, 152 N.H. 503,513 (2005).Ms. Bausha concedesthat

the future." Conner's Case, 158 N.H.299,303 (2009)."The sanctionmust take intoaccountthe

confidence in the bar,preservethe integrityofthe legalprofession,and preventsimilarconduct in

The purposeoftheCourt'sdisciplinary power "is to protect the public, maintain public

hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated by reference into the Stipulation.

outlinedin the April 1,2013,Amended Notice ofCharges,a copy ofwhich is attached

herconductin theresultinginvestigationby theOfficeofAttorneyDisciplineas

8.4(c), inconnectionwithher handlingofa probatematterforStephenWard, and by

2. New Hampshire Rule ofProfessional Conduct1.1,1.3,1.4,3.3, 3.4(b), 8.1, 8.4(a) and

incorporatedby referenceinto the Stipulation.

outlinedin theNovember 28,2012 NoticeofCharges,attachedheretoas ExhibitB and

client funds andmaintaintrust accounts withrespectto#10-022 and #11-071,as

ProfessionalConduct 1.15(a)-(f)and 8.4(a) and 8.4(c) byfailingtoproperlysafeguard

1. New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 50 and50-A,and New Hampshire Ruleof

Conduct by clear and convincing evidence:

Committee concluded that that Ms. Bausha has violated the following RulesofProfessional

Baseduponits reviewof theRecordand theStipulation,theProfessionalConduct

II.RULINGS OF LAW p. 5 Page 5of8

(a) and 8.4(c), andNew Hampshire Supreme Court Rules 50 and50-A; she violateddutiesowed to

safeguardtheir property and maintaintrustaccountsasrequiredby Rules1.15(a) through (f), 8.4

Ms. Baushaviolated duties owed to her clients, includingher client, Daniel Kern, to properly

Under the first prongofthe analysis, the ProfessionalConduct Committee finds that

160(2005)).

misconduct. Douglas'Case, 156 N.H. at621 (2007) (quoting Richmond'sCase, 152 N.H. 155,

violations; itmightwell be and generally should begreaterthan the sanction for themost serious

consistentwith the sanction for the mostseriousinstanceofmisconduct among a numberof

instancesofmisconduct,"theABA recommendsthatthesanctionimposed should at leastbe

anyaggravatingormitigatingfactorson theultimatesanction.").In caseswhere therearemultiple

the baselinesanction. See id. ("Afterdetermining thesanction,[theCourt]considers theeffectof

partoftheanalysis:the existenceofany aggravatingor mitigatingfactorsand whetherthey affect

sanction.").Once thebaselinesanctionisdetermined,theCourt then lookstothe fourth and final

factors,thefirststep is to categorizethe respondent's misconduct and identify theappropriate

anddetermininga baselinesanction. SeeConner'sCase, 158N.H. at 303 ("In applying these

The first three partsofthe analysis createtheframework for characterizing the misconduct

factors." Id (quotingDouglas'Case,155 N.H. 613, 621 (2007)); Standards § 3.0.

injury caused by thelawyer'smisconduct; and (d) theexistenceofaggravating ormitigating

imposing sanctions: "(a) the duty violated; (b) thelawyer'smental state; (c) the potential or actual

Case, 158 N.H. at 303.The Standards set forth a four part analysis for courts toconsiderin

Althoughthe Court has not adopted the Standards, it looks tothem for guidance. Conner's

be disbarredforthe misconduct detailedin ExhibitsA, B and C.

ImposingLawyerSanctions (2005) ("Standards") supporttheconclusionthat Ms.Baushashould p. 6 Page 6of8 extenttowhich she hadalteredoriginaldocuments or created and filednew documents with false

Bausha knowinglymisrepresented to successor counsel and to theAttorneyDiscipline Office the

compromising the integrityofthe administrationofan estateby the Court. Equally seriously, Ms.

proceeding but also, through the filingoffalse documents preparedby herwiththe Probate Court,

not onlyknowing misrepresentationsto her clients regarding the statusofa Probate Court

resultantriskto her clients'funds. As set forth inExhibitC, Ms. Bausha's misconduct involved

from them her unauthorized transfersofclient funds into the firm's operating account, and the

mishandlingofclients'funds, but misrepresentations to her clients and to her law firm to conceal

the clients' funds at risk.As set forth in Exhibit B, Ms. Bausha'smisconductinvolvednot only the

administrative matters entrusted to her compromised the integrityofher law firm and placed allof

misconductwithrespect to her failure to properly handleclientfunds and other financial and

injury causedby Ms. Bausha'smisconduct.As set forth in theAudit Report,Ms. Bausha's

The third prongofthe sanction analysis requires anassessmentofthe actual or potential

intentional.

Committee finds that Ms.Bausha'sbreachesofthe aforesaidRuleswere knowing and/or

With respect to thesecond prong ofthe sanction analysis, theProfessionalConduct

Ms. Bausha has conceded that there is clear andconvincingevidenceofeach oftheviolations.

3.4(b), 8.1, and 8.4(c), as more fully setforthin Exhibits A, B, and C.As set forth above,

legalprofessionof honesty indisciplinarymatters,all in violationofRules1.1,1.3,1.4,3.3,

HerveyWard, before theHillsboroughCountyProbateCourt;and she violated her duties to the

candorand fairnessto the opposing party, in connection with her representationofStephen and

connectionwiththeadministrationoftheirmother'sestate; sheviolateddutiesowed to the courtof

herclients,Stephenand HerveyWard, ofcompetence,diligence,and communicationsin p. 7 Page 7 of8

recommended sanction is in accord with the purposes of attorney discipline. See, e.g.,Conner's

Committee concludes that the appropriate discipline in this matter is disbarment. TheCommittee's

Having made the aforementioned findings and rulings, the Professional Conduct

misconduct involved inthesematter.

CommitteeConcludesthatdisbarmentisappropriatedueto thegravityandmultipleinstancesof

parties have stipulated to disbarment as the appropriate sanction, and the Professional Conduct

aggravatingor mitigating factors, andthereforenone were considered by theCommittee.The

mitigatingfactors, e.g,Conner'sCase, 158 N.H. at303,theStipulationdid notaddressany

Although,the baselinesanctionmust beconsideredin lightofany aggravatingand

seriously reflects on thelawyer'sfitness to practice."

any otherintentionalconduct involvingdishonesty,fraud, deceit or misrepresentation that

§ 5.11(b),which provides that disbarmentisgenerallyappropriatewhen "(b) lawyer engages in

Under these circumstances, disbarment would be the appropriate sanction underABA Standard

clients, but also knowing misrepresentations to the Court and to theAttorneyDiscipline Office.

not only seriousbreachesofher dutiesofdiligence,competence and communication owed to her

Ms. Bausha'shandlingofthe Probate CourtmatterforStephen and Hervey Ward involved

converts client property and causes injury or potential injury to aclient."

provides,inpertinentpart, that"[djisbarmentisgenerallyappropriatewhen a lawyerknowingly

Bausha's duty to protect the interests andpropertyof her clients. Section4.11of the Standards

Ms. Bausha'sfailureto properlymaintainthe clienttrust accountinvolvedbreachesof Ms.

documents with theProbate Court inOctober of2009.

executions in order to conceal from her client and the Attorney Discipline Office her filingoffalse p. 8 Page 8 of8

File David W. Ruoff,Esquire Stephen L. Tober, Esquire c.c. James L. Kruse, Deputy General Counsel

June7^2013

PetitionforDisbarment.

For allofthe abovereasons,theCommittee directs theAttorneyDisciplineOfficetofilea VI. CONCLUSION

with theinvestigationand prosecutionofthis matter.

The ProfessionalConduct Committee recommends thatRespondent pay allcostsassociated

thefuture." Grew's Case, 156 N.H. 361, 365(2007) (quotationand citationomitted).

confidencein the bar,preservetheintegrityofthe legalprofession,and preventsimilarconductin

disciplinary power "is not to inflict punishment but rather to protect the public, maintain public

with the ABA Standardsfor Imposing LawyerSanctions (2005). Thepurpose oftheCourt's

Case, 158 N.H. 303 (2009); Richmond's Case, 152 N.H. at159-60. This sanctionis also in accord