Title: Ligon v. Bennett (Other)
Citation: 2012 Ark. 111
Docket Number: 11-1259
State: Arkansas
Issuer: Arkansas Supreme Court
Date: March 8, 2012

Cite as 2012 Ark. 111 SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS No. 11-1259 STARK LIGON, AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT PETITIONER V. BRUCE JAMISON BENNETT RESPONDENT Opinion Delivered March 8, 2012 MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL JUDGE; MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL JUDGE GRANTED. PER CURIAM Petitioner Stark Ligon, Executive Director of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct, has filed a complaint for disbarment against Respondent Bruce Jamison Bennett. Petitioner now moves for the appointment of a special judge to preside over the disbarment proceeding, pursuant to section 13(A) of the Procedures of the Arkansas Supreme Court Regulating the Professional Conduct of Attorneys at Law. As provided in section 13(A), the special judge shall be appointed to preside over the disbarment proceedings in the case herein. After hearing all evidence relevant to the alleged misconduct, the judge shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of an appropriate sanction, and shall file them, along with a transcript and the record of the proceedings, with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Cite as 2012 Ark. 111 We hereby appoint the Honorable John Cole as special judge to hear this matter and provide the court with findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of an appropriate sanction. Upon receipt of the special judge’s findings, we will render a decision in this matter. Lastly, Respondent moves this court for a change of venue, asserting that Benton County would be a more convenient forum for both parties. In response, Petitioner argues that this matter should be considered by the special judge appointed to hear the case and not by this court. We agree; accordingly, we decline to address venue and leave that issue to the special judge. It is so ordered. 2