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KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION

V. IN SUPREME COURT

GEORGE KEITH WELLS RESPONDENT KBA MEMBER NO. 75710
OPINION AND ORDER Respondent, George Keith Wells, was admitted to the practice oflaw in the Commonwealth ofKentucky on October 3, 1979. His barroster address is 249 Main Street, Paintsville, KY 41240, and his Kentucky BarAssociation (KBA) member numberis 75710. A clientofRespondent, Johnny Caudill, filed a Complaint against him on July 2, 2015. Mr. Caudill alleged that he paid Respondent $10,000 to perform
a mineral title examination and to commence an action concerning oil leases. Respondent informed Mr. Caudill that he had completed the title examination and that a written report would be forthcoming. However, Respondent failed to take further steps in the representation. Following the filing ofthe complaint and charges in this file, Respondent failed to respond in any manner. Respondentwas chargedwith violating Supreme Court Rule ("SCR") 3.130-1.3 (requiringreasonable diligence); SCR 3.130-1.4(a)(3) and (4)(requirement to keep the client informed about the status ofthe matter and promptly respond to the client's reasonable requests for information); SCR 3.130-l.16(d) (requirements for termination ofrepresentation); and SCR 3.130- 8.l(b) (failing to respond to lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority). In addition to the grievances discussed herein, Respondent was suspended from practicinglaw in Kentucky inJanuary, 2016, for his failure to comply with continuing-legal-education requirements and failure to pay bar dues. After considering the charges alleged in the present case, the Board recommends that Respondentbe suspended from the practice oflawfor 61 days, pay the costs incurred in the proceeding, and repay the $10,000.00 fee to his client. Prior to issuingtheir decision, the Board specificallyconsidered suspending Respondent for 181 days with the same conditions. The Board ultimately voted in favor ofa 61 day suspension and repayment as follows: 12 votes in favor and 6 votes not in favor. We adopt the Board's findings herein. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED: 1. Respondent, George Keith Wells, KBA member number 75710, is found guilty ofviolating the Kentucky Rules ofProfessional Conduct, including SCR3.130-l.3; SCR3.130-1.4(a)(3) and (4); SCR3.130-l.16(d); and SCR 3.130-8.l(b). 2. Respondent is suspended from the practice oflawfor a period of61 days effective from the entry ofthis Opinion and Order.

23. Within twenty (20) days ofthe date ofthe entry ofthis Opinion and Order, Respondent shall repay the $10,000.00 fee to his client, Johnny Caudill. 4. Pursuantto SCR 3.390, Respondent shall, ifhe has not already done so, within ten (10) days from the entry ofthis Opinion and Order, notify all clients, in writing, ofhis inabilityto represent them; notify, in writing, all courts in which he has matters pending ofhis suspension from the practice of law; and furnish copies ofall letters ofnotice to the Office ofBar Counsel. Furthermore, to the extent possible, Respondent shall immediatelycancel and
cease any advertising activities inwhich he is engaged. 5. Pursuantto SCR 3.450, Respondentis directed to pay all costs associated with these disciplinary proceedings in the amount of$309.20 for which execution may issue from this Courtupon finality ofthis Order. All sitting. All concur. ENTERED: September22, 2016.

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