Robert J. Corry Jr. (Attorney Registration Number 32705), once a prominent Denver attorney and well-known advocate for marijuana law reform, has been permanently disbarred in Colorado. The disbarment, effective November 12, 2021, was the culmination of a disciplinary history marked by ethical violations, financial misconduct, and multiple run-ins with the law.
The case against Corry involved intentional misappropriation of client funds—one of the most severe ethical violations—combined with professional neglect and a pattern of criminal behavior.
The Core Violations: Intentional Misappropriation and Neglect
The Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a conditional admission of misconduct, finding Corry culpable of multiple violations across several client matters. His most damaging violations involved the mishandling of client money:
1. Intentional Misappropriation of Client Funds
Corry’s financial negligence directly led to the loss of client money in multiple matters:
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Failure to Safeguard: In two separate cases involving significant retainers (one for a municipal ordinance challenge, another for criminal charges), Corry failed to deposit the client funds into a mandatory trust account.
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Misappropriation: He failed to return the unearned portion of the retainers after the clients terminated the representation. This failure to safeguard and refund unearned funds was deemed intentional misappropriation, violating the rule against engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation (Colo. RPC 8.4(c)).
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Poor Recordkeeping: He failed to maintain proper recordkeeping systems to track funds held for his clients.
2. Chronic Client Neglect
Beyond the financial offenses, Corry failed to fulfill his basic duties of representation:
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Failure to Act with Diligence: In one case, he accepted a retainer but never filed the promised lawsuit, despite the client repeatedly asking for updates over several years.
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Failure to Communicate: He failed to promptly respond to reasonable requests for information from clients and their new counsel.
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Failure to Refund Upon Termination: He did not refund unearned fees immediately upon termination of the representation, further harming the clients’ interests.
A History of Criminal and Ethical Lapses
The final disbarment was heavily aggravated by Corry’s lengthy history of professional and criminal troubles:
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Prior Criminal Convictions: His history included pleading guilty to misdemeanor offenses such as Third Degree Assault (2006, Colorado) and possession of a prohibited weapon/simple assault (1998, D.C.).
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Prior Suspensions: These criminal convictions led to reciprocal discipline in other states, including a one-year-and-one-day stayed suspension in Colorado and the District of Columbia, and a 60-day actual suspension in California.
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Federal Ban: He was also disbarred from the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in 2011 for failing to notify the court of prior state disciplinary actions.
The Final Sanction: Permanent Disbarment
The accumulation of misconduct, particularly the finding of intentional misappropriation, led to the final order of permanent disbarment in Colorado. The District of Columbia followed suit, also ordering his disbarment.
The Supreme Court’s action emphasizes that an attorney’s reputation or public advocacy cannot protect them from the consequences of financial dishonesty.
Conclusion: Trust is Paramount
The disbarment of Robert J. Corry Jr. serves as a powerful reminder that an attorney’s license is a public trust. The intentional misuse of client funds, coupled with chronic neglect and disregard for the law, constitutes a profound breach of public trust that mandates the permanent revocation of the privilege to practice law.
