TO BE PUBLISHED 

Suinrittp (Courf of 71,firufurkv 

2014-SC-000457-KB 

STEVEN 0. THORNTON MOVANT 

V. IN SUPREME COURT 

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT 

OPINION AND ORDER 

Applicant, Steven 0. Thornton, KBA Member No. 70895, bar roster 

address 1011 Lehman Avenue, Suite 102, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103, 

was admitted to the Kentucky Bar on November 1, 1983. On February 21, 

2013, he was suspended from the practice of law for 181 days and ordered to 

refund money to two clients and pay the costs of the proceeding. See Kentucky 

Bar Ass'n v. Thornton, 392 S.W.3d 399 (Ky. 2013). This suspension was based 

on three separate disciplinary matters, KBA File Nos. 8632, 9528, and 9651. 

Thornton applied for reinstatement on August 9, 2013 under SCR 3.510. 

His application contained all the materials required by that rule. His 

application included letters and affidavits from former clients, other lawyers, 

judges, and members of his community, all supporting his reinstatement and 

attesting to his good moral character and fitness to practice law. He has met all 

of the conditions imposed by this Court's previous decision. 

Because of the length of his suspension, under SCR 3.510(3), Thornton 

was required to proceed before the Character and Fitness Committee for a 

review. The Committee undertook an investigation into Thornton's character, 

fitness, and moral qualifications for readmission, and concluded that he should 
be readmitted to the practice of law. Specifically, the Committee found that (1) 

Thornton had complied with the terms of his suspension order; (2) he carried 

his burden to establish that he is worthy of the public trust; (3) that he carried 

his burden to establish that he possesses sufficient professional capabilities; 

(4) he carried his burden to establish that he presently exhibits good moral 

character; and (5) he exhibited appropriate contrition, remorse, and 

rehabilitation. 

Bar Counsel has not objected to Thornton's reinstatement. The Board of 

Governors has considered the entire record, including matters leading up to 

Thornton's suspension from the practice of law and subsequent events, the 

findings and recommendation of the Character and Fitness Committee, and the 

position of Bar Counsel. The Board determined that Thornton met all the 

standards for reinstatement to the practice of law contained in SCR 3.510 and 

SCR 2.300 and that he had completed all administrative steps necessary to be 

considered for reinstatement, including completing his CLE requirement for the 

year ending June 30, 2015. The Board also determined that Thornton's 

conduct since his suspension has demonstrated the appropriate degree of 

rehabilitation necessary to support his reinstatement and that he has accepted 

full responsibility for his actions that led to his suspension. Thus, by an 18 to 

0 vote, the Board recommended that this Court reinstate Thornton. 

This Court, finding no reason to disagree with the Board, adopts its 

recommendation, and therefore ORDERS: 

1. That Steven 0. Thornton be reinstated to the practice of law in the 

Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

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2. That Thornton pay the costs of this proceeding as certified by the 

Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Association, and which total $380.41, 

as required by SCR 3.510(1). Such costs are payable from the bond posted by 

Thornton as required under SCR 3.510(1), with additional costs, if any, due 

from Thornton. 

Abramson, Cunningham, Keller, Noble, Scott and Venters, JJ., concur. 

Minton, C.J., not sitting. 

ENTERED: September 18, 2014. 

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