STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. SOLIS, 2017 OK 96

The Oklahoma Bar Association notified the Oklahoma Supreme Court that attorney Margarita Solis resigned from the Bar while disciplinary proceedings were pending.
Allegations included: conversion/safekeeping failures and inadequate communication/diligent representation.
Specific grievances: DC 16-189 (conversion of >$24,000 in client filing fees while Director of Immigration Legal Services at Catholic Charities); DC 17-64 (conversion of $850 and inadequate communication/diligent representation for Juan Calamaco); DC 17-149 (conversion of $3,700 and inadequate communication/diligent representation for Luis Torres Ayala).
Solis executed an affidavit of resignation stating the resignation was voluntary, without coercion, and that she understood the consequences and the allegations — admitting awareness that proven conduct would violate multiple Rules of Professional Conduct and disciplinary rules.
The Court found the resignation complied with Rule 8.1 and approved it, assessed Bar costs of $52.96, and ordered Solis’s name stricken from the roll of attorneys.
Because resignation pending discipline is tantamount to disbarment, Solis may not seek reinstatement for five years; she must notify current clients by certified mail within 20 days and pay the assessed costs.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether respondent's resignation pending disciplinary proceedings complies with Rule 8.1 and should be approved	Bar: Solis’s affidavit meets Rule 8.1 requirements and resignation should be accepted	Solis: voluntarily resigned and acknowledged awareness of allegations and consequences	Court approved resignation as compliant with Rule 8.1
Whether alleged conduct (conversion, failure to safekeep, inadequate communication/diligent representation) constitutes violations of professional rules	Bar: allegations, if proven, violate Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15, 8.4(a), 8.4(c) and disciplinary rules	Solis: acknowledged awareness that conduct, if proven, would violate those rules	Court treated resignation as tantamount to disbarment given severity of allegations
Appropriate disciplinary consequence and post-resignation restrictions	Bar: resignation pending discipline results in removal from roll and limitations consistent with prior practice	Solis: accepted resignation terms including acknowledging consequences	Court ordered name stricken, five-year bar on reinstatement, client notification, and payment of costs
Costs and administrative requirements upon resignation	Bar: seek recovery of incurred costs and compliance with client-notice rules	Solis: agreed to pay costs and to notify clients	Court ordered payment of $52.96 and required certified-mail notice to clients within 20 days