On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a judgment ordering the suspension of Attorney Christine Vanderford from the practice of law for a period that began on January 27, 2020, and ended with the filing of the court’s opinion.
The case is entitled “State of Nebraska Ex Rel. Counsel for Discipline v. Christine Vanderford,” with case no. S-23-527
Vanderford was charged in December 2019 with abuse of a vulnerable adult, a Class III A felony, for her role as guardian of J.R.K., an autistic woman with other mental disabilities. As her guardian, Vanderford began personally assisting J.R.K. to an inappropriate degree and paying herself from J.R.K.’s accounts without court approval. This resulted in criminal charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and theft by deception.
Vanderford has been temporarily suspended from practicing law since January 2020 while the disciplinary case was pending. A referee held a hearing in December 2023 to determine the appropriate sanction. Based on the evidence presented, which included letters of support for Vanderford, the referee recommended a retroactive suspension until Vanderford’s eligibility for early release from probation in her criminal case in August 2024.
Both the Counsel for Discipline and Vanderford then jointly asked the court to suspend her license but to immediately allow her to apply for reinstatement. They argued further probation supervised by another attorney would ensure she does not re-offend. The court granted the motion for judgment on the pleadings as to the facts, but not the disciplinary sanction in May 2024.
In its opinion, the court conducted an independent review of the facts and accepted the referee’s factual findings and credibility determinations. The court found Vanderford’s actions violated her oath as an attorney and professional conduct rules. In determining the appropriate sanction, the court considered aggravating and mitigating factors.
It noted Vanderford’s difficulties at the time but found her payments to herself from J.R.K.’s accounts without court approval to be an ethical violation. The opinion also reviewed the factors for attorney discipline, including protecting the public and maintaining the bar’s reputation.
After considering prior similar cases, the court ordered Vanderford’s license to practice law be suspended from January 27, 2020, the date of her initial temporary suspension, until the date of the opinion. This sanction is in line with the joint request of the parties. Vanderford is now eligible to immediately apply for reinstatement and will undergo a character and fitness review and any additional terms of probation.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Vanderford is an elder law attorney in Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating in 2002. She acquired her law license in Nebraska in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
