Case Title: In re Costello

Citation: 

Docket Number: 20256

State: kansas

Court: Kansas Supreme Court

Date: 2023-04-10T00:00:00Z

Document:
1 
 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS 
 
Bar Docket No. 20256 
 
In the Matter of BRIAN WILLIAM COSTELLO, 
Respondent. 
 
ORDER OF DISBARMENT 
 
 
This court admitted Brian William Costello to the practice of law in Kansas on 
October 9, 2001. In a letter signed March 27, 2023, Costello voluntarily surrendered his 
license to practice law under Supreme Court Rule 230(a) (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 290).  
 
At the time Costello surrendered his license, he faced a hearing before the Kansas 
Board for Discipline of Attorneys on a formal complaint filed by the Disciplinary 
Administrator. That complaint alleged Costello had violated Kansas Rules of 
Professional Conduct 1.3 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 331) (diligence), 1.4 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. 
R. at 332) (communication), 1.15 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 372) (safekeeping property), 
1.16 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 377) (declining or terminating representation), 3.2 (2023 
Kan. S. Ct. R. at 390) (expediting litigation), 3.3 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 390) (candor to 
the tribunal), 3.4 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 394) (fairness to opposing party and counsel), 
8.1 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 431) (bar admission and disciplinary matters), 8.2 (2023 Kan. 
S. Ct. R. at 431) (judicial and legal officials), and 8.4 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 433) 
(misconduct). The complaint also alleged Costello had violated Supreme Court Rule 206 
(2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 255) (attorney registration), and Supreme Court Rule 210 (2023 
Kan. S. Ct. R. at 263) (duty to assist; duty to respond; duty to report).  
 
This court accepts the surrender of Costello's license, orders Costello disbarred 
from the practice of law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 230(b), and revokes Costello's 
license and privilege to practice law in Kansas. 
 
 
2 
 
The court further orders the Office of Judicial Administration to strike the name of 
Brian William Costello from the roll of attorneys licensed to practice law in Kansas 
effective the date of this order. 
 
The court notes that under Rule 230(b)(1)(C), any pending board proceeding or 
case terminates effective the date of this order. The Disciplinary Administrator may 
direct an investigator to complete a pending investigation to preserve evidence. 
 
Finally, the court directs that this order be published in the Kansas Reports, that 
the costs herein shall be assessed to Costello, and that Costello comply with Supreme 
Court Rule 231 (2023 Kan. S. Ct. R. at 292).  
 
Dated this 10th day of April 2023.