Court suspends Las Vegas attorney for misconduct
The Nevada Supreme Court has suspended Las Vegas lawyer T. Lincoln Peterson for six months and one day after finding that he engaged in misconduct.
According to the high court's order, which was filed Jan. 20, Peterson failed to respond to a State Bar of Nevada disciplinary complaint that accused him of engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. He also failed to appear at his disciplinary hearing.
"As a result, the disciplinary hearing proceeded on a default basis and all allegations set forth in the disciplinary complaint were deemed admitted," the order states.
Peterson, who obtained his Nevada law license in September 2003, must petition for reinstatement if he wishes to resume practicing law in Nevada after his suspension.
He also must pay the State Bar of Nevada's costs and staff salaries related to the disciplinary matter.
According to Bar records, Peterson was suspended in May 2007 for failing to complete mandatory continuing legal education.
He also was one of 21 lawyers suspended in July 2007 for failing to pay Bar dues. Peterson's fee suspension was removed on Oct. 22, 2007, and the other suspension was lifted in January 2008.
In an e-mail dated Oct. 18, 2007, Deputy Attorney General Patrick Ferguson informed Bar officials that Peterson was "working for Gugino Law Firm and holding himself out as an attorney."
The information led to the recent disciplinary action against Peterson.
On Jan. 9, 2008, attorney Salvatore Gugino notified the Bar that he would represent Peterson in the disciplinary matter.
About a month later, however, Gugino informed the Bar that he had terminated Peterson's employment and would no longer represent him.
After holding a formal hearing on Oct. 8, the Bar's Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board recommended that Peterson be suspended for six months and one day. In its recent order, the Supreme Court approved that recommendation.
Peterson could not be reached for comment.
Contact Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer @reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.
