In Re Antonio L. Cordova-Gonzalez, in Re Antonio L. Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334 (1st Cir. 1993). · Go Syfert
In Re Antonio L. Cordova-Gonzalez, in Re Antonio L. Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334 (1st Cir. 1993). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
37 citation events (28 in the last 25 years) across 11 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Ryan v. Astra Tech, Inc. (ca1, 2014-11-14)
Treatment trajectory · 1993 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1993 2009 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 23 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ryan v. Astra Tech, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
1st Cir. · 2014 · confidence medium
In re Cordova-González, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993) (per curiam) ("[T]he due process rights of an ■ attorney in a disciplinary proceeding do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accused in a criminal case.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Reines
Fed. Cir. · 2014 · confidence medium
See Girardi, 611 F.3d at 1035 (imposing discipline for violations of Model Rule 3.1 and state bar rules); In re Cook, 551 F.3d 542, 554 (6th Cir.2009) (affirming district, court disbarment, citing violations of Model Rules 8.4, 1.8, and 4.2 in support of discipline); In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335 (1st Cir.1993) (noting that attorney also violated Model Rule 1.8(a) in affirming disbarment imposed by district court for violation of Model Rule 8.4(d)). 4 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re: Harper
10th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
And we cannot declare a due process violation based solely on Mr. Harper’s “subjective impressions of bias or prejudice, no matter how vehemently expressed.” In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Herbert S. Moncier v. Board of Professional Responsibility
Tenn. · 2013 · confidence medium
As the Colorado Supreme Court recognized, the due process rights of attorneys in disciplinary proceedings “do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accused in a criminal case.” People v. Harfmann, 638 P.2d 745, 747 (Colo.1981); see also In re Surrick, 388 F.3d 224, 233 (3d Cir.2003) (“[Although attorney disciplinary proceedings have consequences which remove them from the ordinary run of civil cases, they are not criminal in nature.” (alterations and internal quotation marks omitted)); In re Palmisano, 70 F.3d 483, 486 (7th Cir. 1995) (noting that …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ginsberg v. Granados
D.C. · 2009 · confidence medium
In re Snyder, 472 U.S. 634, 647 , 105 S.Ct. 2874 , 86 L.Ed.2d 504 (1985); In re Zeno, 504 F.3d 64, 66 (1st Cir.2007) (citing In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335-36 (1st Cir.1993) (finding that counsel’s "abusive and disrespectful language against judges and opposing counsel” violated ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and noting that attorneys have been disbarred for "vitriolic and ... unfounded personal assaults” on judges and opposing counsel)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) In Re Barach
1st Cir. · 2008 · confidence medium
See, e.g., In re Franco, 410 F.3d 89, 40 (1st Cir.2005); In re Cordovar-González, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Krouner v. United States Tax Court
D.C. Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
Whether our review is for abuse of discretion, see Tulman v. Comm. on Admissions & Grievances, 135 F.2d 268, 268 (D.C.Cir.1943) (per curiam); In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335-36 (1st Cir.1993), or plenary, see In re Grievance Comm. of the United States Dist.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Franco v. (2×)
1st Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335 (1st Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Williams v.
1st Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
Given that approach, “the record of prior disciplinary proceedings ... [is] of substantial relevance in determining whether an attorney should be disbarred from practice.” In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336-37 (1st Cir.1993) (quoting In re Evans, 834 F.2d 90, 91 (4th Cir.1987)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ofc Disciplinary v. Surrick
3rd Cir. · 2003 · confidence medium
See In re 13 Palmisano, 70 F.3d 483, 486 (7th Cir. 1995) (noting that the Supreme Court’s decision in Ruffalo “does not require courts to employ the procedures of the criminal law in disbarment matters”); In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir. 1993) (holding that, “[a]lthough attorney discipline proceedings have been called ‘quasi- criminal,’ In re Ruffalo, 390 U.S. 544, 550 , 88 S.Ct. 1222, 1226 , 20 L.Ed. 2d 117 (1968), the due process rights of an attorney in a disciplinary proceeding ‘do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to a…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Robert B. Surrick (2×)
3rd Cir. · 2003 · confidence medium
See In re Palmisano, 70 F.3d 483, 486 (7th Cir.1995) (noting that the Supreme Court’s decision in Buffalo “does not require courts to employ the procedures of the criminal law in disbarment matters”); In re Cordova0-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir. 1993) (holding that, “[although attorney discipline proceedings have been called ‘quasi-criminal,’ In re Ruffalo, 390 U.S. 544, 550 , 88 S.Ct. 1222, 1226 , 20 L.Ed.2d 117 (1968), the due process rights of an attorney in a disciplinary proceeding ‘do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accu…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Romero-Barcelo v. Acevedo-Vila (3×)
D.P.R. · 2003 · confidence medium
In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clarence Thomas v. Tenneco Packaging Co., Inc.
11th Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
See, e.g., In re First City Bancorporation of Texas, Inc., 282 F.3d 864, 866 (5th Cir.2002) (per curiam) (upholding imposition of fine upon attorney who, among other things, characterized other attorneys as "various incompetents” and as "stooges”) (internal quotations omitted); In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993) (per curiam) (upholding disbarment of attorney from practicing before district court, as well as disbar *1326 ring attorney from practicing before the court of appeals, in part because attorney made "vitriolic and, as far as the record shows, unfounded perso…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In the Case of Brown v.
4th Cir. · 1998 · confidence medium
An attorney facing discipline is entitled to procedural due pro- cess consisting of notice and an opportunity to be heard, In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir. 1993), but a hear- ing is not absolutely required.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cordova Gonzalez v. United States
D.P.R. · 1997 · confidence medium
In re Córdova-González, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir .1993).
cited Cited as authority (rule) In Re Rivera-Arvelo
D.P.R. · 1993 · confidence medium
Córdova-González, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993), (quoting Rosenthal v. Justices of the Supreme Court, 910 F.2d 561 , 564 (9th Cir.1990)).
discussed Cited "see" In Re: Suarez-Jimenez v.
1st Cir. · 2016 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir. 1993) (noting that the due process rights of the respondent "do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accused in a criminal case" (quoting Razatos v. Colo. Supreme Court, 746 F.2d 1429 , 1435 (10th Cir. 1984))).
discussed Cited "see" In re Suárez-Jiménez
1st Cir. · 2016 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir. 1993) (noting that the due process rights of the respondent “do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accused in a criminal case” (quoting Razatos v. Colo. Supreme Court, 746 F.2d 1429 , 1435 (10th Cir. 1984))).
cited Cited "see" Melendez Cintron v. Hershey Puerto Rico, Inc.
D.P.R. · 2005 · signal: see · confidence high
See Local Rule 83.5, see generally, In re Cordova Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1336 (1st Cir.1993). 7 .
cited Cited "see" Obert v. Republic Western Insurance
1st Cir. · 2005 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335 (1st Cir.1993) (applying abuse-of-discretion standard to review of disbarment).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Kouri-Perez
D.P.R. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Córdova-González, 996 F.2d 1334 (1st Cir.1993) (finding attorney’s vitriolic comments in contravention of Rules 3.5(c) and 8.4(d) and grounds for disbarment); cf., MacDraw, Inc. v. CIT Group Equipment Financing, Inc., 138 F.3d 33 (2d Cir.1998) (finding that the intimation that a court officer was biased because of his ancestry violated New York equivalent of Rules 3.5 and 8.4(d) and warranted severe sanction).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." In Re Zeno (2×)
1st Cir. · 2007 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., *67 In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335-36 (1st Cir.1993) (per curiam) (noting that “[ajttorneys have on a number of occasions been disbarred” for “vitriolic and ... unfounded personal assaults” on court and opposing counsel, and finding that record supported conclusion that counsel’s “abusive and disrespectful language” violated ABA Model Rules); United States v. Cooper, 872 F.2d 1, 3 (1st Cir.1989) (“Nor may an attorney seek refuge within his own First Amendment right of free speech to fill a courtroom with a litany of speculative accusations and insults wh…
cited Cited "see, e.g." In Re Kersey
1st Cir. · 2002 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., In re Cordova-Gonzalez, 996 F.2d 1334, 1335 (1st Cir.1993) (per curiam).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In Re Antonio L. CORDOVA-GONZALEZ, Appellant. in Re Antonio L. CORDOVA-GONZALEZ, Petitioner
92-1756, 92-8038.
Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Jun 30, 1993.
996 F.2d 1334
Antonio Cordova-Gonzalez, on brief pro se.
Breyer, Selya, Cyr.
Cited by 30 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

Antonio Cordova Gonzalez was disbarred by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Cordova appealed that decision. This court ordered Cordova to show cause why we should not disbar him as well. The matters were consolidated. We now affirm the district court’s order, and disbar Cordova from practice before this court.

1

Cordova does not seriously dispute the facts as found by Magistrate Arenas, the committee of lawyers appointed by Judge Laffitte, and the district court. We agree with the committee that, with respect to the first charge, involving the provision of bail on behalf of Cordova’s client Irma Cruz Vazquez, Cordova may not “technically” have violated D.P.R. Local Rule 401.1(C)(3). The rule prohibits a lawyer from standing bail for his client, but in this case it appears that Cordova’s wife actually posted the bond, and it was never conclusively determined that Cordova owned or had an interest in the property that his wife put up to secure Cruz’ release. This technicality, however, does not absolve Cordova of all culpability in the matter: the committee found that Cordova’s wife posted bail “under his auspices and with his express concurrence,” and did so by pledging property that was subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Bankruptcy Court in bankruptcy proceedings that involved both Mr. and Mrs. Cordova. Cordova therefore connived at an effort to deceive the district court by obtaining Cruz’s release through the pledge of property that was not the pledgor’s to give, and thus violated ABA Model Rule 8.4(d) by engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. [1]

With respect to the second charge, we agree with the district court that Cordova violated ABA Model Rule 1.8(a) when he borrowed $100,000 from his client Jose Lopez-Nieves. Rule 1.8(a) prohibits a lawyer from entering into a business transaction with a client unless, among other things, the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable and “are fully disclosed and transmitted in writing to the client in a manner which can be reasonably understood by the client.” Cordova borrowed money from Lopez-Nieves without disclosing to his client (a) that he did not own the property pledged as collateral, (b) that his wife — who did own the collateral — and he were involved in bankruptcy proceedings, and (c) that the collateral was subject to the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court, which had not approved the pledge.

As to the third charge, that Cordova filed pleadings containing vitriolic slurs on judges and lawyers that were “degrading to the law, the bar and the Court,” we will not repeat Cordova’s invective here. We do find the record adequate legally to support the. district court’s conclusion that the pleadings Cordova submitted “show an incessant incorporation of abusive and disrespectful language against judges and' opposing counsel, replete with offensive and vituperative statements in contravention of Rules 3.5(c) and 8.4(d) of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.”

II

We review the district court’s decision to disbar Cordova only for abuse of discretion, In re Grievance Committee of [*1336] United States District Court, 847 F.2d 57, 61 (2d Cir.1988); In re Evans, 801 F.2d 703, 706 (4th Cir.1986); In re Olkon, 795 F.2d 1379, 1381 (8th Cir.1986); Standing Committee on Discipline v. Ross, 735 F.2d 1168, 1172 (9th Cir.1984), and we find none here. Cordova is a lawyer of some thirty years experience, and no stranger to disciplinary proceedings. See In re Cordova Gonzalez, 726 F.2d 16 (1st Cir.1984); In re Antonio Cordova Gonzalez, 90 J.T.S. 28 (P.R.1990). His dealings with his client Lopez-Nieves show a lack of consideration for the duty of trust between lawyer and client that finds expression in Model Rule 1.8(a). Standing alone, such a transgression would warrant significant punishment. See, e.g., People v. Bennett, 843 P.2d 1385, 1387 (Colo.1993) (lawyer disbarred for borrowing from clients); Lipson v. State Bar, 53 Cal.3d 1010, 281 Cal.Rptr. 775, 810 P.2d 1007 (1991) (lawyer suspended). Here Cordova’s misconduct toward his client comes accompanied by his misconduct in the Cruz case and his verbal attacks upon opposing counsel and the court. Cordova had been warned on at least two occasions, by two different courts, that further intemperate accusations would expose him to disciplinary action. He continued to make vitriolic and, as far as the record shows, unfounded personal assaults. Attorneys have on a number of occasions been disbarred for such conduct. See, e.g., In re Evans, 801 F.2d at 706; In re Whiteside, 386 F.2d 805 (2d Cir.1967); see generally, ABA/BNA Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct at 101:609 and cases cited therein. We therefore conclude that, in this case, the punishment is not out of proportion to the offense.

Ill

We reject Cordova’s claim that he was denied due process during the investigation and resolution of the charges against him. Although attorney discipline proceedings have been called “quasi-criminal,” In re Ruffalo, 390 U.S. 544, 550, 88 S.Ct. 1222, 1226, 20 L.Ed.2d 117 (1968), the due process rights of an attorney in a disciplinary proceeding “do not extend so far as to guarantee the full panoply of rights afforded to an accused in a criminal case.” Razatos v. Colorado Supreme Court, 746 F.2d 1429, 1435 (10th Cir.1984) (quoting People v. Harfmann, 638 P.2d 745, 747 (Col.1981)). See also Rosenthal v. Justices of Supreme Court, 910 F.2d 561, 564 (9th Cir.1990); In re Daley, 549 F.2d 469, 476 (7th Cir.1977) and eases cited at footnote 6; Fitzsimmons v. State Bar of California, 34 Cal.3d 327, 193 Cal.Rptr. 896, 899-900, 667 P.2d 700, 703-04 (1983). Rather, an attorney facing discipline “is entitled to procedural due process, including notice and an opportunity to be heard.” Rosenthal v. Justices of Supreme Court, 910 F.2d at 564. See also Lowe v. Scott, 959 F.2d 323, 335 (1st Cir.1992) (due process in proceeding to revoke physician’s license requires notice of the charges and an opportunity to be heard). The record shows that Cordova received notice of the charges against him, and had an opportunity to respond to those charges, at every stage of the proceedings.

We also reject Cordova’s claim that two of the district court judges who took part in the decision to disbar him should have refrained from participation. At various times, Cordo-va filed six motions to disqualify Judges Laf-fitte or Perez-Gimenez. [2] However, his subjective impressions of bias or prejudice, no matter how vehemently expressed, find so little, and such weak, objective corroboration in the record that we see no reason to deem the judges’ decision to take part in the disciplinary proceedings an abuse of discretion. See Blizard v. Frechette, 601 F.2d 1217, 1220-21 (1st Cir.1979).

IV

Under Fed.R.App.P. 46(b), when “it is shown to [a court of appeals] that any member of its bar has been suspended or disbarred from practice in any other court of record ..., the member will be subject to suspension or disbarment by the court [of appeals].” “[T]he record of prior disciplinary proceedings in district court are of substantial relevance in determining whether an at[*1337] torney should be disbarred from practice before” a court of appeals. In re Evans, 834 F.2d 90, 91 (4th Cir.1987). Cordova has neither disproved the charges against him, nor explained, as Rule 46(b) requires, why we should not impose the same sanction as the district court. Cordova’s misconduct in his dealings with Lopez-Nieves and Cruz, and his flagrant, repeated disrespect for the tribunals before which he has practiced, warrant his disbarment.

The decision of the district court is affirmed. Cordova is disbarred from practice before this court.

1

. The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct govern the conduct of lawyers who practice before the United States District Court in Puerto Rico. Local Rule 211.4(B).

2

. Several of the motions also sought the disqualification of Judge Fuste, who recused himself and did not sign the opinion that disbarred Cordova.