I saw a post on an ethics listserv the other day about a proposal by the California disciplinary counsel to issue a "consumer alert" any time a lawyer is accused of misappropriating client funds. Under the present regime, these alerts are sent out after an investigation reveals misappropriation of over $25,000. The poster felt that this proposal went too far, essentially convicting the lawyer without a trial, and should be resisted. I found even the existing program to be troubling.
Granted, stealing is the cardinal sin of lawyering. (For those who did not have Catholic dogma beaten into them as children, cardinal sins are like aggravated felonies.) But sometimes what seems to be a theft or misappropriation can turn out otherwise. The same goes for other instances of alleged misconduct.
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