Case Title: DAVID L . DRAKE, KBA MEMBER NO . 19043 V. KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION

Citation: 

Docket Number: 2003-SC-000370-KB

State: kentucky

Court: Kentucky Supreme Court

Date: 2003-09-03T00:00:00Z

Document:
DAVID L . DRAKE, KBA MEMBER NO . 19043 6$UFx7emr (gautf of 2003-SC-0370-KB V . IN SUPREME COURT TO BE PUBLISHED KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT OPINION AND ORDER Movant, David L . Drake, of Independence, Kentucky, was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on October 1, 1978 . On September 27, 2002, the Inquiry Commission issued a two-count charge against Movant, arising from his representation of one Bobby Davis . In 1997, Mr . Davis contacted Movant regarding a dispute with the company that poured Mr . Davis' concrete driveway . Movant agreed to represent Mr . Davis and attempted to settle the matter before filing suit . When a settlement could not be reached, Movant filed suit on his client's behalf in the Boone Circuit Court on June 18, 1999 . A trial was scheduled to occur in April of 2000 ; however, due to, inter alia, ineffective service on a party, the matter was remanded from the circuit court's docket . On June 18, 2001, two years after the suit was originally filed, the circuit court issued a notice to dismiss the matter for lack of prosecution . The case was kept on the active docket, however, upon Movant's request . Since the circuit court postponed the initial trial date, Movant has not taken the appropriate action needed to effectively proceed with Mr . Davis' case . Mr . Davis has experienced a great deal of difficulty in receiving information regarding the case and in contacting Movant . Also, following the filing of the bar complaint, Movant met with Mr . Davis and assured him that he would be properly informed about the progress of the case . However, Movant neglected to provide Mr . Davis with the pertinent information . Based on the foregoing facts, the Inquiry Commission, under Count I of the charge, alleges that Movant violated SCR 3.130-1 .3 in failing to diligently proceed with his client's case . In addition, under Count II, Movant is charged with violating SCR 3 .130-1 .4(a) for failing to keep his client adequately informed about the status of the case and further, by failing to fulfill his client's reasonable requests for information . Movant readily admits to the conduct alleged in the Inquiry Commission's charge, and agrees that such conduct was in violation of SCR 3.130-1 .3 and SCR 3 .130-1 .4(a) . Movant wishes to terminate the disciplinary proceedings against him by consenting to a public reprimand . Accordingly, he now moves this Court for the issuance of a public reprimand . In response, the Kentucky Bar Association advises this Court that it has no objection to Movant's motion . IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT : (1) Movant, David L . Drake, without objection from the Kentucky Bar Association, be and hereby is publicly reprimanded for violating SCR 3 .130-1 .3 and SCR 3.130- 1 .4(a) . (2) As a result of the instant public reprimand, the disciplinary proceedings against Movant shall be terminated . (3) Pursuant to SCR 3.450, Movant is directed to pay the costs associated with this action in the amount of $ 11 .05 . All concur . Entered : August 21, 2003 . COUNSEL FOR MOVANT : David L . Drake 11988 Madison Pike Independence, KY 41501 COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT : Bruce K . Davis Executive Director Kentucky Bar Association 514 West Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601 Jane H . Herrick Kentucky Bar Association 514 West Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601