TO BE PUBLISHED

Supreme Court of Kentucky

2022-SC-0557-KB

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION MOVANT

V. IN SUPREME COURT

STEVEN O. THORNTON RESPONDENT

OPINION AND ORDER

Pursuant to SCR1 3.167(1), the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) has 

petitioned this Court to enter an order indefinitely suspending Respondent, 

Steven O. Thornton, from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of 

Kentucky. The KBA asserts Thornton has failed to file an answer to a Charge 

as required by SCR 3.164. Thornton’s KBA number is 70895, and his bar 

roster address is 1011 Lehman Ave. Ste. 102, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103. 

Thornton was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth on 

November 1, 1983. He has previously received a private reprimand in 2007 for 

violation of SCR 3.130(8.1)(b); a private reprimand in 2008 for violations of SCR 

3.130(1.3), (1.4)(a) and (b), (1.5)(c), and (8.1)(b); a public reprimand in 2009 for 

violations of SCR 3.130(1.5)(b) and (8.1)(b); a 181-day suspension in 2013 for 

violations of SCR 3.130(1.1), (1.3), (1.4), and (8.1)(b) for one client, SCR 

1 Rules of the Supreme Court.
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3.130(1.4), (1.5)(a), and (8.1)(b) for a second client, and SCR 3.130(1.4), (1.5)(c), 

and (8.1)(b) for a third client; a private admonition in 2013 for violation of SCR 

3.130(1.6)(a); and a private reprimand with conditions in 2018 for violations of 

SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3) and (4), and (8.1)(b).

William J. Mainowski and his wife Rosemary, hired Thornton to 

represent them in a foreclosure action. The Malinowski’s were non-residents of 

Kentucky and had been served the foreclosure complaint by warning order. In 

early December 2020, the Malinowksis paid Thornton $5,000 to represent 

them and produced several documents requested by Thornton. Approximately 

ten days later, the plaintiffs filed a motion for default judgment averring the 

Malinowskis had been served by a warning order attorney more than 50 days 

prior and had not filed an answer or responsive pleading. The motion noted 

Thornton had contacted plaintiff’s counsel seeking a copy of the complaint but 

had not entered an appearance.

On January 6, 2021, the trial court entered a partial default judgment 

against the Malinowskis for failing to file an answer. The order noted Thornton 

had contacted plaintiff’s counsel but had not entered an appearance nor filed 

any pleadings on behalf of the Malinowskis. On February 23, 2021, the trial 

court entered a default judgment against the Malinowskis, again noting 

Thornton’s apparent involvement and lack of participation in the matter. The 

Malinowski’s property was sold by the Master Commissioner in late-March 

2021.

Throughout the pendency of the foreclosure action, Thornton filed no 
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responsive pleadings, failed to respond to repeated communications from the 

Malinowskis, and failed to discuss with them what steps were being taken on 

their behalf. On June 4, 2021, the Mainowskis sent an email to Thornton 

requesting a refund of the fee they paid him. Thornton did not respond nor 

issue a refund.

Thornton was served by sheriff with the Malinowski’s Bar Complaint on 

August 19, 2022. He did not respond. The Inquiry Commission issued a 

Charge against Thornton and service was completed by sheriff on November 

20, 2022. No answer was filed.

Thornton has not participated in the Complaint stage or the formal 

Charge stage of these disciplinary proceedings. Due to Thornton’s failure to 

timely respond, the KBA requests this Court indefinitely suspend him pursuant 

to SCR 3.167. On an examination of the KBA’s petition and supporting 

documents, we agree.

ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1. Respondent, Steven O. Thornton, is indefinitely suspended from the 

practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, pursuant to SCR 3.167(1);

2. As required by SCR 3.390, Thornton will within twenty (20) days after 

the issuance of this order of suspension notify, by letter duly placed with the 

United States Postal Service, all courts or other tribunals in which he has 

matters pending of his suspension. Further, he will inform by mail all of his

clients of his inability to represent them and of the necessity and urgency of 

promptly retaining new counsel. Thornton shall simultaneously provide a copy 
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of all such letters of notification to the Office of Bar Counsel. Thornton shall 

immediately cancel any pending advertisements, to the extent possible, and 

shall terminate any advertising activity for the duration of the term of 

suspension.

3. As stated in SCR 3.390(1), this order shall take effect on the twentieth 

day following its entry. Thornton is instructed to promptly take all reasonable 

steps to protect the interests of his clients. He shall not during the term of 

suspension accept new clients or collect unearned fees and shall comply with 

the provisions of SCR 3.130-7.50(5).

VanMeter, CJ., Bisig, Conley, Keller, Lambert, and Nickell, JJ., sitting. 

All concur. Thompson, J., not sitting. 

ENTERED: February 16, 2023.

_______________________________________

CHIEF JUSTICE