Title: LESA GAIL BRIDGES V. KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION COURT

State: kentucky

Issuer: Kentucky Supreme Court

Document:

LESA GAIL BRIDGES 6$Uyrrrdt %CJ01-Urf of " 'Pt 2011-SC-000214-KB IN SUPREME COURT CORRECTED : JUNE 2, 2011 TO BE PUBLISHED DATE Z1, A MOVANT KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT OPINION AND ORDER Pursuant to SCR 3 .480(2), Movant, Lesa Gail Bridges, KBA Number 35335 (suspended), moves this Court to impose a two-year suspension upon her to resolve the charges contained in KBA File 13168 . Movant was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky in 1983 . The KBA has no objection to Movant's motion . For the reasons set forth herein, we grant her motion . From 1983 to 1986, Movant lived in Kentucky . In 1986, Movant moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, and became a member of the Arkansas Bar in 1987 . That same year, her Kentucky law license was administratively suspended for non=payment of KBA dues . In 1989, Movant accepted a job as a United States Assistant Attorney in the U .S . Attorney's Office in Arkansas . However, prior to accepting that job, she was suspended from the Arkansas bar for failure to pay that state's bar dues . Movant failed to inform the United States Attorney of her suspensions in Kentucky or Arkansas . In fact she provided her employer with several certifications that she was an active member of both bars . In 2001, the United States Department of Justice began an investigation into Movant's bar license status. In November 2001, Movant resigned from her position with the United States Attorney . In 2002, the Department of Justice finished its investigation which led to Movant surrendering her Arkansas law license . Movant subsequently moved back to Kentucky in 2004 . As a result of the Department of Justice investigation, our Inquiry Commission issued a Complaint alleging violations of: SCR 3 .130-8.4(c)l (it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation) ; SCR 3.130-3.3(a)(1) (a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal) ; and SCR 3 .130-5.5(a) (a lawyer shall not practice law in a jurisdiction in violation of a regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction) . Movant now admits that she is guilty of these charges and moves for a two year suspension from the practice of law. The KBA does not object to Movant's recommended sanction . We now grant her motion . Movant was originally charged under SCR 3.130-8 .3(c) . However, this rule was renumbered to SCR 3.130-8 .4(c) by amendment in July 2009. Thus it is ORDERED that: 1) Movant, Lesa Gail Bridges, KBA Number 35355, is adjudged guilty of violating SCR 3 .130-8.4(c), SCR 3 .130-3.3(a)(1) and SCR 3 .130-5 .5(a) as charged in KBA File 13168 ; 2) Movant is suspended from the practice of law in Kentucky for two years effective from the date of this order ; 3) Under SCR 3 .390, Movant must, within ten (10) days from entry of this Opinion and Order, (a) to the extent possible, cancel and cease any advertising activities in which she is engaged ; and (b) notify all clients, in writing, of her inability to represent them; notify all courts in which she has matter pending of her suspension from the practice of law; and furnish copies of said letters of notice to the Director of the Kentucky Bar Association; 4) In accordance with SCR 3 .450, Movant is directed to pay all costs associated with these disciplinary proceedings against her, said sum being $52 .50 for which execution may issue from this Court upon finality of this Opinion and Order. All sitting . All concur . ENTERED : May 19, 2011 . LESA GAIL BRIDGES V. IN SUPREME COURT KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT 2011-SC-000214-KB ORDER CORRECTING The Opinion and Order rendered May 19, 2011, is corrected and the attached opinion is substituted in lieu of the original opinion . Said correction does not affect the holding of the original Opinion and Order . ENTERED : June 2, 2011 . MOVANT