IN RE: DISCIPLINE OF LESLIE MARK STOVALL (2025)

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR TEMPORARY SUSPENSION

The State Bar filed a petition for the immediate temporary suspension of attorney Leslie Mark Stovall under SCR 102(1)(d)(1), based on the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board hearing panel's entry and service of a recommendation to disbar Stovall. Stovall filed an answer to the petition.

Cause appearing, we grant the petition. SCR 102(1)(d)(1) allows the State Bar to seek an immediate temporary suspension when a hearing panel has recommended disbarment, without specifying a deadline by which the petition must be filed. The petition complies with the requirements set forth in SCR 102(1)(d)(1).

We reject Stovall's arguments against the petition. As to laches, Stovall has not adequately shown that the State Bar's timing in filing the petition caused actual prejudice. See Besnilian v. Wilkinson, 117 Nev. 519, 522, 25 P.3d 187, 189 (2001) (“[T]o invoke laches, the party must show that the delay caused actual prejudice.”). After all, Stovall has been able to continue in the active practice of law during the State Bar's delay in filing the petition. Nor are we persuaded by Stovall's arguments concerning the perceived procedural and substantive errors in the disciplinary proceeding. Even assuming the truth of Stovall's challenges to the panel's recommendation, SCR 102(1)(d)(1) only requires that a panel has entered and served a recommendation for disbarment; it does not require that the recommendation possess a threshold level of validity for purposes of an immediate temporary suspension. Consistent with SCR 105(3)(b), which provides for this court's automatic review of a hearing panel's recommendation for disbarment, this court is separately reviewing the merits of the disbarment recommendation in Docket No. 88997. Further, we decline to read SCR 102(1)(d)(1) to require a supporting affidavit by the State Bar. That requirement is only found in subsection 2 of SCR 102(1)(d). Subsection 1 addresses an independent set of circumstances under which the State Bar may petition for immediate temporary suspension without satisfying the requirements in subsection 2, because a panel's recommendation of disbarment is in itself sufficient to warrant a temporary suspension.

Accordingly, Leslie Mark Stovall is temporarily suspended from the practice of law, pending this court's review of the hearing panel's recommendation of disbarment in Docket No. 88997. Consistent with SCR 102(1)(d)(4), Stovall is precluded from accepting new cases immediately upon service of this order. Stovall may continue to represent existing clients through January 1, 2026. The Bar shall immediately serve Stovall with a copy of this order. Such service may be accomplished by personal service, certified mail, delivery to a person of suitable age at Stovall's place of employment or residence, or by publication. The parties shall comply with the provisions of SCR 115 and SCR 121.1.

It is so ORDERED.¹

Herndon, C.J.

Pickering, J.

Bell, J.

Cadish, J.

Parraguirre, J.

Stiglich, J.

Lee, J.

FOOTNOTES

1.   This is our final disposition in this matter. Any new proceedings shall be docketed under a new docket number.