Lawyer avoids disbarment via addiction treatments

Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 | 11:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas attorney described as a "textbook pathological gambler" has been suspended from practicing law for one year by the Nevada Supreme Court.

The court said the misconduct of Ronald L. Cordes could have resulted in disbarment, but he has started a rehabilitation program to correct his problems.

Cordes virtually abandoned his law practice in 1999 because of his gambling addiction, which was exacerbated by alcohol abuse, the court found.

"He failed to pursue cases on his clients' behalf, failed to communicate with his clients, missed statutes of limitations in some cases, misrepresented facts to the court in an effort to avoid application of the statutes of limitation, accepted retainers from clients without performing services and misappropriated client funds," the court said.

In September 1999 Cordes, with the intervention of his family, sought help and has stopped gambling and drinking, the court noted. And he has started to make restitution to his former clients.

The court agreed with the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board of the state bar that mitigating circumstances existed and that Cordes was a candidate for rehabilitation. The bar says it wants to create an incentive for lawyers who have substance abuse problems or other addictions to get help.

Cordes was suspended for three years, but two years will be stayed if he refrains from gambling, alcohol or drugs. He also must submit to random testing, and he must complete restitution and will be required to pass a bar exam before he is allowed to return to the practice of law.

In another case, the court ordered Las Vegas lawyer Hamilton Moore suspended from practicing law for one month. The suspension was for three years, but the remaining two years and 11 months will be stayed if Moore follows certain conditions.

Moore was found guilty by the bar association of failing to file a complaint on behalf of a client because the time limits expired, misappropriating funds to operate his law practice and other violations.

Moore must make restitution to his clients, participate in a mentorship for one year that focuses on financial management and must submit quarterly reports on his general and trust accounts for three years.

The court noted Moore has no previous discipline problems in his 20 years of practice and has "expressed sincere remorse for his actions."

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question