LV attorney placed on probation

Friday, Aug. 18, 2000 | 9:46 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas attorney has been placed on probation for one year after being found guilty by the Nevada Supreme Court of dishonesty, fraud, deceit and filing a frivolous suit.

The court said Thursday that during the year's probation, Mont E. Tanner must conduct his law practice under a mentor, must pay the cost of the disciplinary proceeding against him and attend certain programs and pass a test.

Tanner was a salaried employee of the law firm of Clark, Greene & Associates for nearly four years. After he quit the firm, he gained a $95,000 settlement in a personal injury case begun while he was still with the firm. He tried to keep his one-third fee without sharing with his former employer.

The firm filed a notice of attorneys' lien. Tanner retaliated by submitting a grievance with the state bar association and by filing suit against the firm.

Tanner complained in the suit that the lien prevented his clients from receiving their share of the settlement. An agreement was reached to release the money to Tanner's clients, but the court found the suit was really about Tanner getting his money and that his claims were "less than candid."

A judgment gave 100 percent of the contingency fee to the firm.

The court ordered Tanner suspended for 30 days but held that in abeyance and placed him on probation.