Title: In Re Kennedy
Citation: 503 A.2d 1198
Docket Number: N/A
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: August 30, 1985

503 A.2d 1198 (1985)
In re John B. KENNEDY, a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware.

Supreme Court of Delaware.
Submitted: June 27, 1985.
Decided: August 30, 1985.
Reargument Denied November 25, 1985.
Samuel C. Stretton, West Chester, Pa., for respondent.
L. Susan Faw, Disciplinary Counsel, Wilmington, for the Bd. on Professional Responsibility.
Before McNEILLY, HORSEY and MOORE, JJ.
PER CURIAM;
Nos. 9, 56, 264 and 314, 1984 and Nos. 38, 144 and 145, 1985 are before the Court pursuant to Rule 9(e) of the Rules of the Board on Professional Responsibility for review of the Board's recommendation to the Court that disciplinary action is warranted in subject matters. Nos. 204 and 205, 1982 and Nos. 60 and 75, 1983 are before the Court for review of this Court's Order dated March 21, 1985 directing Respondent to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of court for violating this Court's Order of Suspension dated January 24, 1984, and for filing a false affidavit of compliance dated February 17, 1984.
On January 17, 1984 the Respondent, through his then counsel Samuel C. Stretton, Esq., filed in this Court Respondent's Exceptions to the Board's Final Report, however, by Stipulation between Respondent and former Disciplinary Counsel, filed in this Court on September 21, 1984, the Respondent withdrew his exceptions and agreed to waive briefing and oral argument in this matter and agreed to submit the matter to this Court upon the record.
Thereafter, on March 7, 1984 the Respondent filed Exceptions to the Board's findings but thereafter failed to comply with this Courts briefing schedule issued on June 4, 1984. Consequently, by Order dated October 23, 1984, Horsey, J., Respondent was Ordered to Show Cause why his Exceptions should not be stricken due to Respondent's failure to comply with this Court's brief schedule, (the file contains no response by Respondent to said Order). Thereafter, on November 5, 1984 Respondent and Disciplinary Counsel entered into a Stipulation wherein Respondent admitted that he had violated DR1-103(A) and (C) as set forth in the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Board's Final Report. Said Stipulation contains Respondent's request that the above referenced matter be dismissed.
On October 12, 1984 the Respondent filed with this Court Respondent's Exceptions to the Boards Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law wherein Respondent asserts that the Respondent "... merely had a personal discussion with his brother and at that time was not representing anyone whatsoever." The Respondent requests this Court to dismiss the recommendations of the Board.
On August 7, 1984 the Respondent filed with this Court his Exceptions to the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the Board, wherein the Respondent denied wrongdoing and requests that this Court dismiss the recommendations of the Board.
The respondent has failed to file objections to the Board's Final Report pursuant to Board Rule 9E and has, by letter dated March 18, 1985, informed the Court that Respondent does not intend to submit any further matters to the Court concerning this case.
The Respondent, on May 7, 1985, filed with this Court his exceptions to the Board's findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Board Rule 9(e) in which Respondent denied each finding of the Board.
The Respondent filed with this Court on May 7, 1985 Respondent's exceptions to the Board's findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Board Rule 9(e) in which Respondent denied the Board's findings and conclusions and prays that this Court dismiss the Board's recommendations.
On March 19, 1985 Disciplinary Counsel filed a Motion to appoint a receiver and for entry of an order to show cause why respondent should not be held in contempt of this Court's order of January 24, 1984 suspending respondent, John B. Kennedy, from the practice of law in this State in which the Court directed:
The Court further directed Kennedy to file within thirty days of the Court's Order of Suspension an affidavit showing full compliance with the mandate of the order. In addition, the Order of Suspension further provided:
472 A.2d  at 1335.
In her Motion Disciplinary Counsel asserts:
Affidavits in support of these assertions have been submitted by Disciplinary Counsel and are a part of the record submitted for this Court's consideration without objection.
4. Disciplinary Counsel further asserts that despite Kennedy's brazen violations of the Order of Suspension,  his failure to remove the offending signs from his offices, his failure to notify clients of his suspension in the manner prescribed by the Court, his failure and refusal to return to clients their papers, his failure and refusal to refund unearned fees, his engaging in activities as a member of the Delaware Bar  on February 21, 1984, Kennedy filed an affidavit with this Court stating that he had complied with the order. This is a totally false statement which Kennedy knew full well to be false when he made it.
WHEREUPON, Disciplinary Counsel petitions the Court to enter an order:
On March 21, 1985 this Court issued its Order to show cause, and all matters then pending for review by this Court were heard in open court on June 27, 1985 with Respondent being present and represented by counsel. At that hearing of June 27th counsel for Respondent made no effort to contest Disciplinary Counsel's assertions and the Board's conclusions generally although offering specific excuses and mitigating factors based on the number of clients involved, filing deficiencies, time, personal contact rather than notification by mail, inability to contact, partial payment of amounts due, full payment unacceptable to the client, and other denials of error or violations.
Having duly considered the Board's findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations for disciplinary action by this Court in Nos. 9, 56, 264, 314, 1984 and Nos. 38, 144, 145, 1985 and Respondent's offerings in excuse and mitigation, we affirm the Board's findings, conclusions and recommendations. We also find that Respondent violated this Court's Order of Suspension dated January 24, 1984 and filed a false affidavit of compliance dated February 17, 1984. In mitigation we note Respondent's present efforts to correct at least some of his transgressions. However, in our opinion Respondent's efforts do not excuse the errors of his ways which have been the source of never ending consternation and concern to the public, the Judiciary and Bar of this State since Respondent's *1209 admission to the Bar in 1974. See In Re Kennedy, Del.Supr., 472 A.2d 1317 (1984). In fact, Respondent has been the subject of more disciplinary charges to date than any known member of the Delaware Bar since its inception. Not all charges against Respondent have warranted disciplinary action by any means. But more than a few have culminated in disciplinary action, evidencing a pattern of conduct falling far short of a lawyer's duty to protect the public and uphold the integrity and professional reputation of the Bar. Respondent's pattern of behavior has reached a point where drastic action must be taken regarding his fitness to practice law. Respondent has clearly demonstrated by his conduct that he is unfit to continue in the capacity of an officer of this Court imbued with public trust in the proper administration of justice. Upon the basis of the foregoing this Court concludes that the Respondent should be disbarred from the practice of law.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED:
(1) That John B. Kennedy be and he is hereby disbarred, that his name be and it is hereby stricken from the Roll of Attorneys of this Court, and that his authority to practice law in the State of Delaware, and the Courts thereof, be and it is hereby revoked; and
(2) That this Opinion and Order be disseminated by Disciplinary Council in accordance with Rule 3 and Rule 14 of the Rules of the Board on Professional Responsibility.
(3) Charles C. Crompton, Jr., Esquire, is hereby appointed to act as a special trustee in accordance with the joint proposal made to this Court by Respondent and Disciplinary Council attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
(4) No application for reinstatement to the Bar will be entertained by this Court prior to the expiration of five years from the date of disbarrment and payment in full of all costs incurred in these matters leading initially to Respondent's suspension and now disbarrment in the amount of $1,633.95.
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
The following reflects our joint proposal to the Supreme Court concerning the refund of unearned fees to former clients:
(1) A member of the Delaware Bar shall be appointed by the Court to act as a special trustee to determine the appropriate amount of any refund owed by Mr. Kennedy to former clients for unearned fees which should have been refunded by Mr. Kennedy pursuant to the Court's order of January 24, 1984.
(2) Mr. Kennedy has contacted Charles S. Crompton, Jr., Esquire who has agreed to serve as special trustee, subject to the Court's approval.
(3) The special trustee shall make a determination as to the appropriate amount of a refund in each case based upon written statements submitted by the former client and Mr. Kennedy. However, if the special trustee, in his discretion, deems it necessary, Mr. Kennedy shall make available to the special trustee his file concerning his representation of the former client and the special trustee may conduct an informal hearing.
(4) Disciplinary Counsel shall notify all former clients who have made or make complaints to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel concerning unearned fees of this procedure.
*1210 (5) The determination of the special trustee shall be final and not subject to appeal. The special trustee shall be immune from suit for any conduct in the course of his duties as special trustee.
(6) The special trustee shall be authorized to issue refunds in accordance with his determinations. Refunds will be issued from an account established and maintained by the special trustee and funded by Mr. Kennedy. Initially, Mr. Kennedy shall deliver $3,000.00 to the special trustee for deposit in the account. In the event that it appears to the special trustee that there will be or are insufficient funds in the account to cover refunds which he has determined to be appropriate, he shall so advise Mr. Kennedy and Disciplinary Counsel. Mr. Kennedy shall replenish the account in $500.00 increments at the request of the special trustee. If Mr. Kennedy contends that he is not in a position to do this, he shall so advise the special trustee and Disciplinary Counsel. Disciplinary Counsel may renew at any time the motion for appointment of a receiver filed with the Supreme Court on March 19, 1985.
(7) Whenever it appears to the special trustee that all former clients of which he and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel have knowledge have received the appropriate refund, if any, the special trustee shall return the balance of the funds remaining in the account to Mr. Kennedy. The return of any remaining balance shall be made by the special trustee when he, in his discretion, deems it appropriate. If Mr. Kennedy believes that claims for all unearned fees have been disposed of and that the special trustee has no need to maintain the account but refuses to return the remaining funds, Mr. Kennedy may apply to the Supreme Court for an order directing the special trustee to refund the balance to Mr. Kennedy and to dissolve the account.
Please sign below indicating that you agree that this proposal should be submitted to the Court for its consideration in connection with the above-captioned matter. Return the executed original to me as soon as possible. (A copy is enclosed for your records.)