What is the case law regarding misconduct by a lawyer in a personal injury case?

Apart from the instant proceedings, petitioner's 28-year legal career is unblemished. Petitioner, who has held various positions of responsibility with the United States Department of Justice, has devoted extracurricular effort to the advancement of his profession. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and has taught and lectured extensively on topics related to his fields of expertise. Here, the misconduct occurred in the course of petitioner's business dealings and not during his representation of legal clients. In an appropriate case, the lack of prior discipline may constitute a significant mitigating factor. (Chefsky v. State Bar (1984) 36 Cal.3d 116, 132, fn. 10, 202 Cal.Rptr. 349, 680 P.2d 82.) We find that this is such a case.