Justices reject reinstatement of disbarred attorney

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a recommendation from the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board of the State Bar denying a petition for reinstatement from disbarred attorney J. Michael Schaefer.

"Schaefer's litigation activities since his last petition for reinstatement demonstrate his failure to comply with the professional conduct rules, his violation of which led to his disbarment," the court said.

The four members of the Supreme Court acting on the matter also agreed that Schaefer will not be able to file a future reinstatement petition until he has paid the costs of the current proceeding.

Justices Michael Cherry, Mark Gibbons and Kristina Pickering voluntarily recused themselves from the matter.

Schaefer has been a perennial political candidate in Nevada and California. He served in the 1960s on the San Diego City Council but later lost bids for other offices including Nevada secretary of state and the Los Angeles City Council.

Schaefer had filed to run for Nevada state controller as a Democrat in the 2014 general election, but District Judge Carolyn Ellsworth removed him from the ballot because he had not been a Nevada resident for two years. The Nevada Supreme Court upheld the decision.

Schaefer was first disbarred in 2001. He asked for reinstatement in 2004, 2007 and 2009 and was denied each time. He asked again in 2013.

When the court disbarred Schaefer, it said he violated six Nevada Supreme Court rules regarding conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation, meritorious claims, candor toward tribunal, fairness to opposing party and counsel and communication with represented party.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801