12 14 12 Spots Stamped 0204 Order by Chair Echeverria Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law Seeking to...

7/28/2019 12 14 12 Spots Stamped 0204 Order by Chair Echeverria Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law Seeking to Disbar C

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RED

RED PPER

Case No: N20204, N120435 and N120434

TTE B OF NEVD

NOTHEN NEVD DPLNY BOD

STATE BAR F NEVADA,

Complanant,vs

ZACHARY CUH N, ESQ,Bar No 9473

Respondent

FNDNG OF FT ND

ONLUON OF LW

TS MATER ame before a esgnated Formal Hearng Panel of the Northe Nevad

Dsplna Board (the "Panel for heng on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 The Pan

onsste of ohn P Eheverra, Esq, Charman ay-Member Karen Peal, Stephen Kent, sq

Clk V Vells, Esq, and Mhael K ohnson, Esq The State Ba of Nevada (the "State Ba

appeaed and was represented by Deputy Ba Counsel, Patk Kng, Esq he esponen

Zahary Baker Coughln, Nevada State Ba No 9473 (the "Respondent or "Coughln appeare

pp p

FNDNG OF FT

Based upon the pleangs le, the oumentay evene amtted as Hearng Ehbts

though 16, and the testmonal evdene of the Honorable uge Bre Beesley, har Hll, Esq

Paul Eano, Esq, the onorable udge Dorothy Nash olmes, Zahary B Coughln, Esq an

ay Barer presented at the hearng of these proeedngs, the Panel makes nngs of fats a

follows

1 Coughln s an attoey lensed to prate aw n the State of Nevaa At a

rvt ti prior to d t t of t in of t Complin in hi mar, Rpondn

prnple oe, as led th the State Ba of Nevaa n aorane wth ule of Proessonal


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H aring

H aing

H aring

H aring 11,

PRED

EED PPER

Conduc ("C) 79(1)(a), as os Oce Box 3961, Reno, NV 89505. See Exhb I

0001, lnes 710 (Sae B of Nevada vs. Zachay B Couhln Esq Case No NGI2-0204, NGI

0435, NGI2-0434, Complan a I (led Auus 23, 2012

2 Coul as admted as a membe of he Sae Ba of Nevada on March 25, 200

See Exhb 1 a 0001, lnes 7-8 (Sae Bar of Nevada vs. Zachary B. Couhln, Esq., Ca

No: NGI2-0204, NG12-0435, NGI2-0434, Complan a I (ed Auus 23, 2012

3. On Sepembe 9, 2011, Couhln shopled a candy ba and couh drops from

WaMa soe appoxmae vaue of foueen dollas ($14.00). On November 30, 201

Muncpal Cou Jude eneh R Hoard found Couhln uly of the oense of et Larceny

volaton of RC 8.10040 Couhln appealed the judment of convcon. On March 15, 201

the Honoable Dsc Cour Jue Seven . Ello armed he judmen of convcon o appea

See Exhb 1 a 0002, 5, lnes 11-15; (Stae Bar o Nevada vs Zachary B. Couhln, Esq

Case No: NGI2-0204, NGI2-0435, NGI2-0434, Complan a 2 (led Auus 23, 2012

4. Couln' conduc durn he of he pe lceny case on November 30, 201

hch Couhln appeaed in propria persona, as so dsrupve tha Jude Hoard foun

Couhln n drec conemp of cou and senenced hm o jal ha same day o be released o

Deceme 3, 2011 a 800 M. Jude Hod speccally found Couhlns conduc o bdsorderly and as ehe conemptuous o behavor nsolen oard the jude n ha Couhl

resed

...to obey decves of the Jude, connun lnes of qur aerben advsed by the Cour o refran from don so; demeann the Cort statemens such as WOW n response o cour rulns lauhndun tesmony and rhe quesonn the cour and s authory.

See Exhbt ODER OR SMMARY NSHMENT O CONTEM

COMTTED I THE MEDATE VE AND PRESENCE O THE COURT, November 3

2011

5. On June 7 2012, the Supreme Co of he Sate of Nevada, upon petton of Ba

Counsel for the State Bar of Nevada pursuat o SCR 111 ordered ol teor suspende

from he pracce of la n Nevada. The Order her drected tat te matter be refeed to te

- 2 -


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earing 4

earing

He ring

ill" into is qustions d statmnts wn suc prson was not rlvantto t procding and t dfndant ad bn ordrd to stop discussingtat dfndants disrgding t ruls of vidnc and cour procdurby continually posing improp qustions ar bing dirctd by t coutto proprly pras is qustions 7 dfndants continually accusing tcout of dnying im t rigt or ability to ask qustions and tlling t

cou to giv m a list of qustions you want m to ask;" dfndantssuggsting tat cou tll m wat would mak you appy;" 9dfndants lying to t cot in rspons to dirct qustions posd by tcou wit rgard to is rcording t procdings and 10 dfndantsfailing and rsing to proprly xamin t witnss dspit numrousadmonitions by cou to stop rpating qustions misstating answrsinjcting irrlvant matria arguing wi t witnss andmiscaractriing t tstimony

Exibit ODE IDIG TE DEEDAT I COTEMT O COT A

IMOSIG SACTIOS

T trial of t mattr was continud to Marc 1 01 Couglin faild to app

and faild to contact t co to xplai or xcus is absnc owvr ar srving t vd

Contmpt of Cou sanction and ar bing rlasd om custody Couglin fax-ld a -pag

documnt ntitld Notic of Appal of Summary Contmpt Ordr; Motion to t rso

oprty Conscatd by no Municipal Cours and Its Marsalls Motion for w Trial and

Altr or nd Sm

ary Contmpt Ordr" Exibit 5 ODE lins 19 Jug Nas olms obsrd tat t plading ld by Couglin faild to addr

most of the topics lsted in the caption. Raher, she obseved, the document contained ramblin

references to Coughlin's personal life, his fathersfootball career in college; dozens of pages o

strng citations taken fromheinteet and other nelated references. Judge Nash Holmes foun

the pleading to bedisjointed and incoherentanda "patheticdemonstrationofwhat might oncehav

beenlegal andacademic prowessthat appears tonowbe greatlydamaged" See Exhibit 5

ORDER, P2, lines 9-15; P2lines 16-20.

10 Judg Nas olms also found at Couglin ar bing rlasd fom custod

following t bua 7 01 Contmpt of Co inccration ld otr nonsnscal plading

including a 1 pag documnt


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He ng 5,

Hear ng

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Hear ng

PD O

RLD PAPR

pupod o b oh moio i hi ca id"Moioo R C ho Moio o S Aid Sa Comp Ordrad oic o Appa o Summa Comp Ord Wih cadicuio o, o rvac o, h abov capiod ma, ad docummo gu aga Judg Howad i a Dparm 4 ca ad agaicoa or ha 2 pag o ig ga ciaio ric o rock (ic)

og M. Coughi poa am hio; dicuio o a vicoca d aoh comp ca dioid ga ciao ad ohoica mar ha hav o appa rvc o hi ac ciaioca

Ehibi ORDER, P, i 11-19.

11 A obvig ha Coughi coduc had b iappropa, bza, dho

iraioa ad diupiv, Judg ah Hom cocudd, b ca ad covcig vdc, ha

Cough had commid umrou ac o ao micoduc, cudig, bu o imid o

vioaig Ru o rooa Coduc .4(c), 8.4(d), .(a), .1, .2, 4(c), 1 ad 1.1.

Ehibi 5, ORDER, ,, i 2526 4, i -2

12 Judg ah Hom a cocudd ha Cough vioad vada Supm Cou

Ru 229, cio 2(b), a amdd b ADKT 449 o Augu 1 211 b upiiou rcord

h rac cou procdg wihou advac pmiio ad ig o h cour wh uio

egarding the matter by denying thathehad done so. See ExibitS, ORDER P4, lines 24

28.13 Judg ah Hom ordd, amog oh ordr, ha h rac cou mar b

cod ad rcdig rag o rac cot atr b od pdg rr o h

ma o Sa Ba o vada Ehibi 5, ORDER 4, i 7-I8

14. O March 14, 212, Judg ah Hom rrrd ma o Coughi o Sa B

Counsel David Clark and suggesed he mae had some gency. S Exhbi 8, Let

dated arch 14, 2012 from Reno Municipa Cou Judge Dorothy Nash Holmes to Oce of Sta

BaCounsel,Nevada SaeBa.

15 Judg Hom d a h harg o hi dicpar ma ha o h

pupo o hr March 14, 212 Od wa o provid h pa o har hi ma wh c

convincing vn, bad on r xrin and bakground a ay pcu d judg


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Transcp oeeding

PRE N

that ouglin ad violated numeous provisions of he Nevada Rules of Professiona onduct

2 of Wednesday November 4202P 37L 22 P 38 L .

3 6. Bauptcy Judge Buce Beesley was called to tesi at te hearing of t

3 7 Judge Beesley bece conceed woe a leter to the State Bar eplaining

4 eperience wi oughlin and indicated that he did not elieve oughlin in his current state w

15 able to adequately represent hs cliets of Wednesday November

6 202P 3L 24 P 4 L 7.

7 8 n Judge Beesleys opinion oughlin is not competent to practice law 8 of Wednesday Noveber 4202P L 5

State Ba ounse aed attoey Rad H o st a he an o hs mate

20 Hill has been a member in good standing with te Stae Ba of Nevad for 33 yes

2 of Wednesday November 4 202P 36 L 22 P 37 L 4 Mr Hill w

22 retained by Dr Merliss o assist Dr. Merliss ina landlodenant dispute wi his tenant Coughli

23 See of Wednesday, November 14, 2012, P 37, L14 - 20. r H

24 represened Dr. Merliss in Reno Jusice Courtand WashoeCouny Disrc Courand wo appeals

25 he Nevada Supreme Couin hematters involving Dr Merliss andCoughlin. See o

26 Wednesday, November 14,2012,P 39, L 3 - 24. Mr Hill has also reviewed flings i

27 a case in which ouhlin is invlved wh h L

28 Wednesday November 4202P 3 L 25 P 40 L 3.

RECLE R

6


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TranscriProc dngs H aring

H arng 2,

Transcript Proc dngs

Transcrpt Proc dngs

Transcrpt Proc dng

Transcrt Proc dngs

Trascrpt Proc dngs

1 20. n the evctn proceedng beween D. Merss and Coghln Mr Hll's

2 obtaned evcton order allowng Coghln one week to vacate the premses Ultmatel

3 Coghln faled to comply th the evcton order and wa convcted of crmnal trespass

4 of Wednesday November 14, 2012, P 41, L 18 P 44, L 12.

5 21. On behalf of hs clent r Merlss Mr. Hll soght and obtaned an order n favor

6 Dr Merlss and aganst Coghn awardng Dr Merlss attoey's fees n the amount of $42,065.5

7 Washoe Dstrict Cou Jdge Patrick Flanagan entered the order on Jne 25, 2012.

8 of Wednesday November 14, 2012, P 47, L 3-7. Exhbt 2, P 3, L 10

9 The moton seeking atoeys fees was based on Coghln's condct n the defense of the evcto

10 matter, whch condct was chactezed as rvolos and vexatos and presmably so found b

11 Jdge Fanagan. Exhbt P 2, L 8-13; P 3, L 4-11.

12 22. Based on Mr Hll's experence and backgrond hs revew of the pleadngs n th

13 ltgaton between r Merlss and Coghln and hs revew of the pleadngs n Coghlns ltgato

14 wth Washoe Legal Servces Mr. Hll s of the opnon that Coghln s not competent to practc

15 law. of Wenesday, November 14, 2012, P 39, L 1 12

16 23. Based on Mr Hlls experence n ltgatng wth Coghln Coghln was n

17 trthfl wth ether consel or the cour of Wednesday November 118 2012, P 53, L 6 16. Hll felt that Coghln's lngs were absve, at one pont callng M

19 Hll's assocate a lchen Coghln has accsed ll of brbng the Reno Polce epartment t

20 have Coghln arrested Mr. Hll's sta s terrorzed by Coghln of

21 Wednesday, November 14, 2012, P 54, L 4 15.

22 24. State Bar Cosel called aoey Pal Elco to test at the hearng of ths mate

23 Elcano s the exectve drector of Washoe Legal Servces that provdes legal servces t

24 ndgents. of Wednesday ovember 14, 2012, P 88, L 25 P 89, L 14

25 Coghln was employed by Wahoe Legal Servces from Agut 29, 2007 to May 11, 2009.

26 of Wednesday November 14, 2012, P 3, L 17 - 20. Mr Ecano becam

27 aware of an order entered by Jde ardner on l 0 009 in e maer of Joshi v oh nd, a

28PR

REED PER

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H aingH aing 3

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Tanscip Poc dings

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H ng

1 a esu eviewed he aped anscipt of he heaing f Wednesda

2 Novembe 14 21 2 P 94 L 22 P 95 L 6

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25 Judge adne's ode in he Joshi mae indicaed ha oughin had conduced

discovey in he case and faed o pesent any docmenay evidence a he ia of he mae

behaf of his client Ms Joshi Ehibit 3 P 12 L 4 6 Ae commening on vaio

negaive aspecs of oughin's epesenaion of s cien Ms Joshi ( Ehibit P 1

L 9 P 13 L 4 Judge adne specicay hed

The mos oubling aspect of his case was M oughins de sacasicand disespecl pesenaion a ial M oughlin's inabiliy oundestand a baance shee; his failue o conduc discovey; and his lack

of knowledge wih egad o he es of evidence and ial pocedue Allof s was compounded wih a coninuously anagonisic pesenaion of

he case ha esuled in a shi fom a fay simple divoce case o aconenious divoce ial lasing an ecessive amoun of ie

1 3 hibi P 13 L 5 1

4 26 Judge adne sancioned oughlin pesonaly and awaded aoey's fees o M

15 Joshi in he amoun of $934 o be paid pesonally by oughin wihin 3 days of he ode

1 6 Ebi 3 P 13 L 1 4 1 7

1 7 27 Based on he ode and oughin's conduc in he Joshi mate oughin w1 8 eminaed by Washoe Lega Sevices of Wednesday Novebe 1

1 9 212 P O, L 7 8

2 28 In M Elcanos opinion oughin is no compeen o pacice law.

2 1 of Wednesday Novembe 14 21 2 P 94 3 8

22 29 Sae Ba ounsel caled oughlin o esi a he heaing of he mae oughl

23 was quesioned wih egad o a lee daed Febuay 14 21 2 fom Assisn Ba ounse King

24 oughlin in which Ba ounse foaded o oughin coespondence eceived fom Rchd

25 Hil of Wednesday Novebe 14 2 12 P 13 L 1 3 P 164 L 2

26 Ehibt 6 oughlin's esponse daed Mach 9 212 sked fo addiiona ime i

27 which o espond Ehibi 7. No evidence wa rntd tt ou btve

28 esponded o B ounsels lee of Febua 1212 pio o he ling of he oplain in hisPRTE

CCLE ER

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TanscriptProceedings

Transcript Proeedingsearing

earingering

eang

earing

earin

Trancr pL9J Proced ings

leadings

1 mater. Coughlin failed to directly respond to Bar Consels questions inquirng i Coghlin ev

2 subsequently responded to Ba Counsel's letter o Feuary 1, 2012. See

3 Wednesday, November 1 , 201 2, P 169, L 1 3 -P 172, L 16

30. Coughlin also ailed to directly respond to questioning regarding whether or not

5 had sbstantively responded, prior to the ling o the Complaint in this matter to a letter orwrde

6 to him rom Ba Counsel regarding the leter received y the Nevada State Bar rom Judge Doroh

7 Nash Holmes and dated Mach 1 , 201 2 See o Wednesday, Novemer 1

8 2012 P 17, L 1 3 - P 180, L See Exhibit 8

3 1 On Marh 72012 Coughlin caused to be led an "Adavit o Poverty in Suort

0 Motion to Proceed Iorma Pauper." See Exhiit . In his Adavit oughl

1 1 represented that he was selemployed as a "Jak o all Trades See Exhibit 9 Th

1 2 Adavit does not identi Mr Coughlin as a layer or ienti ay income om the racice

1 3 law See Exhibit 9

1 32. The reord also indicates that Coughlin had also led a motion on Novemer 1

5 0 1 1 to oceed i Forma Paueris in ase number 1CR 22176 pending in the Reno Mnici

1 6 ou before Judge Kenneth R Howard See Exhibit 10. Judge Hoards Order denyin

1 7 Coughlins motion specically noted that Coughlin's "adavit of ovey did not identi an

1 8 income om the practice of la yt Coughlin had imlied to te our when sentenced

1 9 iarceration for contemt tat his incrceration wol aversely aet his clients. Se

20 Exhibit 10, P 2, L 19 2 3

2 1 33 Although oughlin claims to suer the impaiment o atention decit isorder, o

22 whihhe isrescred medication and whih medicationhe took on the dayof hishering, hedo

3 ot feel he needs ny aditional hel. See Wednesday, November 1

24 202 P , L 3 -P 20

25 34 . On August 23, 20 12 the State Br of Nevadaedits Complaint in this matter a

26 seved itupon Respondent oughlinby CetiedMail to his addess then registered with the Sta

27 Barof Nevada. See Docket Complin

28 O

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Pleadins

Pleadins Docket,

Pledins Docke

Pleadins Docket

Hearing O

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35. Not avg eeved espose to te Complt, o Octobe ,01 te te

of Nevad led and seved o Respodet Coughl, by ceed ml, a "otce of Itet

Poceed o Defult Bass. Te Notce attaced a ddtoal copy of e omplat

ndated hat unless a esposve pleg to the Complat was eeved by the State Ba

Octobe 24, 20 12, he me would poceed o default bass ocket Notce

Intent to Poceed on a Defult Bas

36 O Otobe 3 1, 20 12 Pael Cha Ehevea ssued the Panels Ode dey

Cougls "Moto to Dsmss led Octobe 16, 20 12; eyng Coughls "oto o Ode

Show Cuse Regadng Impope Atempt by Ba Cousel nd, Possbly, D to Delay a

Obsuct Heng Requed by Couts (s Jue 7, 2012 Ode n Cas No. 60838 and Coughl

SR 102(4(d Petto Case 6 1426 led Octobe 2, 20 12 Gantng ouglns oto

Revew ad Ispect Ba Reods ed Otobe 16, 20 12 and Denyng oughlns oto

Bfucate Heag ad Moto to Dsmss fo (s Complnt (sc Falue to Sucently Stte th

hages wth Speccty ad Suppot and fo Utte Flue of Ba ounsel to Pefom Resonab

Ivestgato Ode Dated Octobe 3 1, 20 12. In tht Ode, ma

Echevea the odeed that the Fomal Heag would poceed o defult bss unle

Coughl led a Veed Answe to the Complant by Novembe 9 20 12 Ode Dated Otobe 3 1,2012,P 2, 710

37 Aga Nebe 20 12, Chaa heve, a Ode Gntng he Sta

Bas Moto to Qus cea Subpoens emnded oughln tht uless a Veed Answe to th

Complnt was ed by 5:00 p.m. o Novembe 9,20 12 the panel would poceed o a defult bas

Ode Dted Novembe 7 2012, P 2, 8 13

38 Followg lengthy ttempt to detemne whethe o not Coughl beleved e ha

24 led a tmely veed answe o response to the State B's Complant, Coughl ttempted, at t

25 eang of the mae, to tasfom pleadng pevously led n the Reno Mcpl Cou to

26 "New Veed Respose (sc Pe-Heang Moto to Dsmss/Say Judgment, Memoadum

27 of Law Exhbt 14) ad to tasform an "Emergecy Ex M iss ..

28 pevously dated Novembe 12, 20 12 and alteed at the heng to eet a dte of Novembe 14

CL

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H aring TrascripProc dings

5 Trnscipt Proc dngs

Heng Pleangs Dockt

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202 no a Delaon and Vered Response." Exbs 15 and 16.

2 of WednesdayNoveber 202P 24L 1 6 P 270L

39. Durng e ourse of he heng of hs ater Coughln onnued o deonsae a

pate of ondu sl of no dena oondu n other forus for whh he had repeaedly

been sanoned of WednesdayNoveber 202. Pleadng n h

6 aer led by Cougn were exeedngly lenhydeonsaed a lak of fous d undersndng

7 of e ssues nvolved were rblng ad noheren d onaned dsusson of rrelevan ssues

8 See e. Exibits n . al "Moon for r o how

9 Cause . " daed Oober 22012; Moon o Revew d Inspe B Reords .." Fled Oober 16

202; Pleadng enled Well Would You Loo a a . " ded Noveber 7202; Eergeny

Ex Pae Moon o sss or Quh .. " Fled Noveber 1202

2 0. Coughns ondu a he hearng nluded ondu no reeed n he srp of

13 e proeedngs by way of faa gesures body languge voe nonaon and volue.

4 of WednesdayNoveber 12012P 8L 9 P 1 82L 1 .

6 ONLON OF LW

17 Based on thefoegoingFindings ofFact,Pel ereby isses the followngConclusions

8 of Law

19 (A) The Pel was desigated by e noher Nevaa Discipliny Bod C to

ajuicae eComplanled byteSeBa ofNevadaagnsZachBCoughn,aseos

2 NG2020,NG12045 d NG12-0 and o deermne e exen of e dsplne o be

22 posedpusuan o e Nevada Supree Cou OrderofTepory Suspenson nd Refer o

2 Dsplnry BoardenerednCse No6088,In e Mater ofDsplneofZah B. oughln

2 Esq.,Bar No 9473,eneredJune7,2012

B The Pel as uson over the Responden ad e subje mater ofese

26 proeedngs. SeeNev Sup C. R 99.

27 (C) Venuein ths maer is prperlwith he NoheNevada DisciplnaBoadandin

28 eCouofWasoe,Se ofNevaa NevSup. C. R .05

D ON

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(1)

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1 (D) Coughln receved otce an a copy of the Complant, noice o hs right to respond

2 as well as noce of e evidence nd wiesses upon which he State B intened to rely at a foa

3 hearing. Notce of the formal heng w seed on Coughlin Coughlin appeared n he maer

4 ed numeu motons apared at he heaing of the maer, css-examned iesses ad tested

on behalf of the Sate Ba and on his own behalf Accordingly he Sate Bar compled wih h

procedura requemens of SCR lOS.

7 E Coughln was aorded ample oppory to prepe a veried aswer or response to

8 the alegaons of he Complaint and faled to tmely do so Findngs of Fact 34 3S n 36

9 Accordingly he maer could proceed on a efault basis an the allegaos of he Complaint eeme

adme SCR 1S2 Nowsdng the fact hat he maer coul have been decded on a efaul

11 basis he Pnel pemtted he Ste Bar nd Coughlin to present evdence

12 (F) Submie to e pel for decision are the following ssues:

13 Wheher Cougln volate RPC 1.1 (Competence)

2 Wheher Coughlin violated P 12 (Dilgence)

(3 Wheer Coughlin volated PC 31 (Mertorious Clams d Contenions)

Wheher Coughln violated PC 33 (Cdor to te Tribunal)

S Weher Coughln volated PC 34 (Faess to Opposing Pty ndCounsel)

(6 Weer Col voate C 3 (Impaal ecom o e

Tribnal)

21 7 Wheer Coughli volate PC 3SA (Relatons wh Opposng Cousel)

22 (8 Wheer Couglin violated PC 41 (Truhlness in Statemens to Oers)

23 Wheher Coughli volated RPC 44 (esct for he ghts of Thrd Pesons)

24 10 Wheher Coughlin volated RPC 81 (Dscipli Maers)

(11 Wheer Cougln violate RPC 82 (Judcia n Legal Ocas)

2 12 Weer Coughln ioated RPC 84 (Msconduct)

(13) The extent of e dsciline to b impo puruat to SCR III a result of

28 Coughln's convicton of he "serios cme of Pett LrcenR

ECCLE PPER

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G) The Stae B mus prove by cle and convincng evidence ha Cougin violaed

2 RC11'1231, 33 34354144 5A(sic),818.2and 84 SeeNev Sup.CR105(2)e); In

3 re 108 Nev a 633-634, 837 P2d a 856; Genle v Sae B,106Nev 6062787 P2d

4 386387 (990

6 (H C ses A lwye shl povide comen epesenion o clien

7 Compeen pesention equies he legl knowledge sk thoouhness nd pepion

8 esonbly necess fo e epesentio.

9 (I he ecod clely nd convincingly estblishes t Cougin lcks the comency

o epesen cliensincluding hmsel

J Fisthe ecod demonses sevee ciicism by he il cout in the hndlg of he

2 Joshi me incuding Coughlin's lck of ndesding of blce shee his filue o conduc

3 discoveyhis lck of knowledge of he les of evidence nd il pocedue. ' 25

4 (K) Second Judge Beesley esied the pledings led by Coughin on behlf of his

clien bnkupcy cse wee"lenhy didn mke ny sene nd jus so of bled hough

6 e del o ielev stu. Judge Beesley so esied Cougins pledings d uens

7 on behlf of his clien "didn mke y sense. ' 6 Judge Beesley bece conceed8 enough bou Coughin's compeency s lwye th he contced he Ste B ' 7

9 (L hid Judge Nsh Holes quesioned Couhin's compeency s le nd in he

Ode ding Coughlin in Conemp of Co noed h Coughli disegded he les of evidence

2 coninully imposed imp quesions filed o popely exmine winessesepeedly sked he

22 sme question missted nswes injeced ielevn meil gue with wesses nd

23 schceized estimony. ' 7

24 (M o Judge Nsh Hoes fond Couglin's pleings filed o dess opics

lised in e cpion conined mbling efeences o Couglin's sonl life nd ohe ielev

26 meiwee ovely lengthydisjoined nd incoheen. ' 9 & 0

27 Fih Sa B cled two udes nd two cicin oes ech wi

28 signcn expeience wih Coughlin nd ech of whom endeed expe opinion egding

RELD A

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Cougln' copeency a a lawye Judge Beeley eed a n opnon, Cougln wa no

copen o pacce law 8. Judge a Hole eed a n e opnon Cogl

volaed nueou Rule of Pofeonal Conduc ncludng lack of coeny o pcce law

5. oey Rcad Hll alo ee a n opnon Cougl no copeen o

pacce law. 22 oey Pal lcao wo once upeved Cogln a a lawye and

ulaely enaed o Waoe ega evce, al eed a n opnon Cougln

no copeen o pacce law 28

() e ecod eale a Cougln oeed no ee onon o evdence a o

h coency

(P RC 2 ae lawye hall ac w eaonale dlgence and ope n

2 epeeng a clen

3 (Q) Te ecod le cle a o wee o no Cougln volaed RPC 2 on oe

4 on occan

(R Judge owad n e Jo cae, ceanly foud a Cougln fled o conduc

dcovey on ealf of clen n a ae 25

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( The ecod and Pleadng Docke n h cae eal a Cougln faled o ovde aveed eponve pleadng even n e deene of own dcpln acon 38

( 1 The record d Pleadg Doket in h se estabish hat Coughlin habitually fl

nueou,uely and eeve oon

Mrtoro am and ontnton

RPC 3 n penen pa ae lawye hall no ng o defend a poceedng o

23 ae o conove an ue een, le hee a law and fac fo dong o ha no

24 fvolou whc nclude a good fa aguen fo eenon odcaon o evea of exng

law

2 (V) Te ecod clealy ad convncngly eale a Cougln conouly and

27 repetitively fles ielevt leadings. lead ueated to h iss had ad connoly d

28 evely njec elevan ae no oceedng

CCL PER

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H a

Transcipt Proc dings

RTD

W) Judge ash Holmes ound o example that Coughlin epeatedl injected alegatios

2 o bibe peu and police etaliation in a simpe c ce involvig the ailue to stop at a sto

3 s 7 She so ound hat Coughin epeated njected attoe chad Hil into quesions

4 and statemens when Hill was n no way invoved n the c ciation ia. Supa 7 She aso

5 od that pleadings ed subsequent to Couhins ncceaion wee engthy moe than 200 pages)

contained sct discussion o, o elevnce to, the mate and contaned eevant discussion o acts

7 eated to the poceedings at hd 0

8 X The ecod esablishes hat in the eliss eviction action, Coughns conduct w so

9 vexatious and ivolous as to esult n substtial sction o atoes ees. 2

0 xhibit 2, P 2, L 8 3 P3 4 .

(Y) The Pleading Docket iths mater estabishes also that Coughlin's lings,even inhs

2 own defense of the discipliny mater inject lengthy ireevant cts d lega issues nto this

3 poceeding

4 andor o Tribnal

5 Z) C 33a states A awe shall not knowngy: make a alse statement o act

oawto atibuna oail to coecta falsestatement of mateal acto awpeviouslymade to the

7 ibunal b the le."8 (AA heecod ce and convingestalishes thatCoughnvioated C33a)()

19 when h lie to Jude Nash Homes as to whethe o no he was sueptitously d wiho

2 missionto ecod hepoceeding 7 O note, Coughlin di notdenhathe hadliedto

2 JudgeNasholes. Instead hiscoss exmnationof Judge ashHomes focusedonhowshehad

22 eedof e uefacs. S of Wednesday,November 14, 2012,P139, L

23 P 4 L 4

24 (BB) Aoey Rchard Hi testied at based on his experience n litgating with

25 Coughlin,Couinwas not tuthl theiecounsel o the Cou. 23

2 (CC) The record also estabishes that Coughlinwas ess hancadidwt the Cot in

27 two searate aications to roceed in forma pauperis, when he aied to dscose hs te

28 occupationsanattoedinsteadindcatedhewassef-empoedasa"ackof al radesand

RECl.D PPER

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Oping Pa

Transcipt roceedings

2 Imartili

2

RTE

faled de any ncme m he pracce f law aer havng represened he cur ha h

2 ncaceran wuld adversely ec hs clens Supra 3 2

3 Fa to and onl

4 (DD C 34(c saes A awyer sha n (knwngly dsbey an bgan under he

rles f a bunal excep fr an pen resal bsed n an aern ha n vald blgan exss

6 (EE The rec cley and cnvncngly esablshes Cughn has a ce d

7 cnnng pae f nwngly ng and dsyng nscns frm he Cr.

8 (FF) n hs Order f nemp Judge Hward fun ha Cughln resed bey

9 drecves f he Judge d cnnued nes f quesnng er beng suced rean m dng

s Supra 4

G Judge Nash Hlmes n her Order f Cnemp fnd ha Cughn ncessly

2 gued wh he Cu neped he Cur repeaedly resaed maers aer havng been

13 dmshed rean m dng s dsregded drecves sk prpery phrased quesns nd

14 dsbeyed nerus admnns by he cu sp repeang quesns mssang nswers

njecng rreevan maeral agung w he wess d mschracerzng esmny. Supr 7

6 H The rrp f he heng n hs mer cey demnsaes ha Cughn

17repeaedy d ncessnly errps wesses cunsel Pne members d Pane Charm and

8 reses d dmnns ren m dng s. See geneay f

9 ednesday Nvember 4 22

and Dcorm of rbnal

2 ( RPC 3(d saes "A awyer sha n engage n cnduc nended dsrup a

22 bunal

23 (J The dsrupn mus have ccured n he cu One c dsp a buna

24 wh cnduc usde f he cum n re Mchael S 8 Nev 629 8P2d 83 (992

K The recrd vehemgly cerly nd cnvncngy esbshes ha Cughn

26 reaedly cnducs hmsef n a anner ha s dsrupve f he bunal whe n he curm

27

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RECYCD R

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Transcript Proce dings

s ing

Respect Rhts

(LL) T vious ordrs of contempt or imposing sanction issued by Judges Kenet

2 Gdner, Linda Gadr Doroy Nas Holms ad Parick Flageac dscri asimilar pat

3 of conduct and baviora is intntionaydisrptiv of ibna. Supra 47, 1021 ad 25

4 (M T ncript of th procdings i is matter revea a continuon of a simil

5 patteof conduct byCougn dpthsavg bn sconed ic an advers awd of

6 atoy's fes ad twic by incaceration. See generaly of Wedsday,

7 Novmbr 142012

8 Relaos with Counsel

9 ( RC 3Astats "We a ayernows or reasonabysouldknow he identiy ofa

10 ayr reprsentig anopposing pary, or s soud not e dvanag of e awyerby causing

11 any defaut or dismssa to b ntred wiout Ist inqirng about t opposig lawyr's itntio to

12 proced."

13 () ltoug e St Ba ped a vioation o RPC 5A i its Complaint, no vidnc

14 wa presented tat Cougin vr violated th rle. Accordingly Pe nds tat Stat Ba

15 aild t met its bd of proof on his issue as an evidentiy mater but nds at as a mar of

16 dfaul e vioation may b deemd admtted

17Trufulness n Saemens o Oers

18 (P) RPC4.1 (a) sts "In th course of rprseting a clienta lawyer shanot knongly:

19 (a)(m)a alse sttemtof matera fact orlaw ta hidprson."

20 (QQ) Atoug evidnc stablised at Coughin knowigy made fas statements to

21 Co nd Couns (Se (A), (BB nd (CC o videce was preseted hat Cougi

22 knowingly madasstatements o matrial act or lato ahirdprson. Accordingy e Pnel

23 ds that h Sat Ba faild tomet isbuden ofproof on this issus avidentiay maerbut

24 ds at asa mater ofdfault vioation may bdemed admted.

25 for e of Trd Persons

26 (RR) RPC 4.4(a) sts 'Inrprsnig aclient, a layershalnot us means hat hav o

27 substtia potherthaoembaass, delayor burdena thrdpron."

2RINTED O

ECYLED PAPE R

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28RTED O

RECCED E

The record estabishes ceary and convicigy hat i he Meriss evictio actio

Cough coducted imsef i a me hat w abusive exatiou ad for purses of deay T

matter a simpe evictio actio that appenty asted through severa poceedings at he

Mcipa Cout eve appea to the District Cour ad two appeas to the Nevada upreme Cout

d wch aso rested in Cougi's covicio for crimia espass 19 ad 20

Coughs coduct i te preedigs w so egregious that Judge Fag ordered Coughi to pay

Dr Meriss $200 mount that is sti upaid 21

I The record aso estabishes that Coughi habity proogs proceedigs

ecessariy; es egthy ireevt osesica peadigs requig cou sa d couse to

sped ecessy eort in evauag ad/or respodg to he peadigs 7 8 9 10 11

1 21 2 27 9 d 0

Mars

C 81b provides i pertient part " . .a awyer . i coectio ith a discipiy

matter sha ot: b . owigy fai to respond to a aw demad for iformatio om a

amissions or discipiary auhoriy "

V The record ceary d covicigy estabishes that Cougi oigy faied to

respod to he ate B's request for foatio i the discipi proceedig d faied to imey

e a requed veied resposive ser or peadig to te Compat

W First Coughi sked for etesio of tme to respd o he eer of eb 1

20 2 regdig te Richad Hi Compaint d the fed to respod at a 29

X ecod Coughn faied to espond to a subsequet etter from he tae Ba regadg

he Compait ed ith the B by Judge Na Homes 30

Y Third Coughi ignored CR 102 he he faied to timey e a vered respose

or swer to e Compa despite severa wigs to do so. 3 7 8 Coughi

compded tis vioatio whe he atempted durig the course of the hearig i this matter to

asfom a peadig previouy ed i Reo Mcipa Court ito a "Ne Veed Respoe sic

Pre-Herg Motio to ismsuar Judmen Memordm of Law b cross out the

orgia captio d hdwitig he ew capio 38 Cougi aso atempted ig e

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Lgal

1 hearing, to ransform a pleading he had led he day before the heaing entitled "Emergency Ex Pte

2 Moton to Dismiss . . by handwring he words Declaration and Vered Response . onto te

3 capton ofthe pleading. ' 38

4 Z) The conduct descid herei not ony demosrates a lack of cooperaion th the

5 State B bu a lack of competency well .

6 Jdcal and Ocal

7 (A) RPC 8.2a) sates A lawyer shal not make a stateent hat he lawyer knows to be

8 fase or wth reckless disregd a t it t or falsity conceg e quaication or integriy of

9 judge adjdicatory ocer or public legal ocer

1 0 BBB) Ding the corse of the heing Coghlin accsed Jdge Nash Homes of lying

1 1 dring her tesiony Coughin has expressed siil views conceg Jdge Nash Holes

1 2 vious pleings ed in this proceeding as well others Coghlin aso ered other

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derogato rerks about ious judges with whom he has nteracted

CCC) The State Bar presented scnt evidence on this isse d no evidence om which the

pane cold concude hat he expressions were kowingly false s opposed to expression of

opinon While the conduct displayed is n te view of the Pel reprehensible he Pel concldes

hat e Sate B faled to meet is brden of prof on he issue as an evidenti maer but ds hat

s a mater of efaut he violation may be deemed admited

Mscondct

DDD) RPC 84 provides i peinent ps):It is profession miscondct for a lawyer to :(a Violate oraempttoviolatetheRulesofProfessioal Conduct .

(b) Comit a crimnal act hat refects adversey on he awyer' s honesty,

stworness or tness as a lawyer in oher respecs;(c)Engageconduct involvingdishonesty,aud, eceit ormisrepresenttion;

(d) Engage in conduct thatisprejdicia to the adinstration ofjstce.

25 EEE) The Pleadings,HeaingExhibits d Transciptof theseproceedingsovehelmingly

26 clearly andconvincingly establish a repeated, lenting nd obstinate patte of isconduct by

27 Resondent Cohlinevcin numerousandreeated violations ofsevera rvisionsof RC 84 in

28 violation ofC 8.4aPD

REED R

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Diciline imosd ursuantCouli Lrcny

PITED ON

RECYLED PAPE

(FFF) Coughln was convicted of petit laceny on Novembr 3, 21 1 , a violation of RC

84(b) Such violation is sucient alone to igger aplication of SCR 1 1 1 e Nevada Sure

Cor referred te matter to te apprpriate dsciplinary anel for a deteination of e extent o

punshment at should follow om he convicion 5

(G) Te record also establises tat Couglin was convicted of crinal trespss in th

prolonged eviction proceedings involvng Dr Merliss, a violation of RPC 8 4(b) 20

(H) The Complait n this atter alleges tat Coughin has been ested and is awating

ial on a eny cge nvolving a cell one nd on a cage of absing 9 1 1 emergency

pocedres However, no evidence was presented on tese chages but as a maer of default th

allegations ay be deemed ditted and would constite additiona violations of P 84(b)

(JJ) The record, s descibed at length aboe establises seveal violations of P 84(c)

See A BB) (CC) , BBB) d (CC)

() Te entie record in ts mater is relete wt snes demonsatg tat Cougs

conduct is rejudicia to the adminisation of justice ougin been repeatedly snctoned

moneily d b way of incceation for s conduct, repeatedly ed lenghy ielevnt and

nonsensica pleaigs requig sas, cous and counsel to exend needless and unecessa tie in

responding to sch pleadings, s repeatedly dispted proceedings and faled to follow inscionnd adonitions of he cous Te record establishes that e patte of conduct continues desite

e sere sco amistered ad contues u to ad dg te discilny rocess d eng

of this mater

The Extnt of the to be . to SCR 1 1 1 A a Rsult o

onvcton of the "Srou rm of Ptt

(LL) Te maer of he referl om the Supreme out ws considered in connction wt

e allegations in e olaint ed by e Sate Ba ile e conviction at issue in te Supree

Cor Order of June 20 2 ay not aon waat e disciple recomended n s Pels

recomendatons, ten s a wole ad n conjuction wt te umeou and repeated oer

volations o e es of Profession Cduct, wt h Pel' ve he dcpe

recoended erein

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1 DESON ND EOMMENDON

2 In assessing the on o discipline to recommend the Panel ha accounted or a nmber o

3 aggravating nd mitigating actos tha mus be considered he Panel nds that te tate Ba ha

4 shown by cle and convincing evidence te presence o at least eight o the eleven aggravating

circumstances to be considered in accordance with he provisions o R 1025(1)

6 First while there have been no oa prior disciplinary proceedings by the tate B the

7 record establishes hat oughlin en disciplined by way o sanctions on at least our prior

8 occasions

9 econd the record reects at least with respect to the Merliss mater d te two crina

ials that the patte o conduct was or selsh reaons: to presee unla tenancy and to delay

1 1 and prolong crminal convictions

1 2 hrd the record clely d convincingly establishes that the patte o misconduct is

consistent nd includes witout lmitation the disption o the proceedings; the resa to heed the

drections and admonitions o the cour the injection o irrelevant materia nd matters e ling o

lengthy, rreleant nd nonsesical pleadings; e willngness to lie to court nd consel and the

1 4

iabili to understanddollowthe rulesof evidence d prcedure.1 6

Fort, the record clel and convicingly establishes thatCougnhas comittedmultiple

1 7violatons ofe Rles ofProfessionalconduct as more lly discussedabove.1 8

Fih, te record clely d convincingly esblishes tat Cougin engaged ina bad fait

obsuction of the discipliny process by faling to le the pleading required by SCR 105(2) and

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instead ling several lenghy, irrelevant and nonsensical pleadings, mosty pleadings led in ohe

matters, dreledin the disciplinary actinunder asimilarbut diferentcapion. In someinstances2

Coughlin simply cossed out the case name nd hand wrote the nes o the paries in the

disciplinary proceeding24

Sixth, the record clearly and convincingly establishes that Coughlin has resed to

26 acknowledgethewrongl natre of his conduct despite having en sanctionedonat lest ouprio

an

28PED ON

ELED PPE

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28RE ON

CYCED PPER

Seveth, the record clearly ad covicigly establishes at Coughli has show a complete

dierece to mg restituto d has so f iored orders to do so

Eighth, the record clely ad coicigly establishes that some of Coughlis miscoduct

ivolves illegal coduct t evces ud ad ishoesty For eample, he was covicted of oe

sce of tit ley ad is awtg ial o a secod

e Pael ds few potetially mtigatig factors to be preset Wile the Pael tha

there is a lack of prior public disciplie by the State B he Pael otes hat Coughli ha bee

publicly rticed i the oshi matter, has bee heavily sactioed w a adverse award of

substatial atoey's fees the Merliss mater, ad ha bee icarcerated at lest twce for cra

cotempt of court Although there has e a absece of pror public isiplie by th State B

tere have bee multple isces of udicial cesure d sactio

Altough Coughli suggested at the hearg that he may have persoal or emotioal problems

or a eta disabili, he deied that he eeded her help Furhermre o medical evdece was

preseted regardig the potetial mpact of a metl disabiliy o evidece hat he disability was e

cause of the mscodct, o evidece of recovery by rehabilitato ad o evdece that a recovery

h ested the miscodct d that a recurrece is ulkely to occur

These potentially mtigatng factors e weak at best ad do not excuse e well established

numerous d epeated violatons of the Res of Professional Conduct d do not outweigh the

aggravatg crcumstce etablihedovehelmngly by he Stte B.

RECOMMENDIONS

he Pael recommeds that the Respodet ordered

1 evocably disbad by e Supreme Court Wle evocable disbarmet is clely

the harshest fo of disciple, e uusual crcumstaces here, comuded by the repetitve ae

of the mscoduct pror to ad eve duig the discipliary process ad hearg, clearly warrt e

level of pushmet recommeded

2 hat his tempor suspesio be cotiued dg al resoluto of this matter

3 With e 3 da of he eective date of disbarmet to demoste to Br

Cousel that he has placed all s Nevada cliets wth oter cosel oterwse cocluded e

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PTEDON

RECED PPER

epesenaion o w e asssance of Ba Conse heeae aempe o expeiosy a any

emaning clen ing new conse

(4) To pay e cos assocae w hese poceeings psan o SC 120

ATE TEE is of eceme 212

A ESQ Chavaa scpay Bo Pe

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1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

2 he undersgned hereby certies that a true and correct copy of the foregong Order was

3 deposted in the United States Mail at Reno, Nevada, postage fully pre-pa thereon for certied and

4 rst class mail addressed to the following:

Zachary B Coughlin E 9th St.

6 Reno NV 89505

7 DATED ths th day of December, .

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9

La Peters, an employee ofthe State Bar of Nevada

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12 14 12 Spots Stamped 0204 Order by Chair Echeverria Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law Seeking to...

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Transcript of 12 14 12 Spots Stamped 0204 Order by Chair Echeverria Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law Seeking to...