Opinion ID: 2069555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: order staying effective date of suspension

Text: Comes now counsel for respondent and advises this Court that counsel had not been served the report of the Hearing Officer in this proceeding prior to the issuance of our opinion in this matter on March 15, 1994. Upon examination of our record we find that although counsel for respondent appropriately entered an appearance, the Clerk of this Court failed to list such counsel as counsel of record. Consequently, counsel was not served the Hearing Officer's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation, as noted in the Clerk's entry of April 26, 1993. Based on the record before the Court, on March 15, 1994, this Court suspended the respondent from the practice of law for sixty days effective April 18, 1994. Accordingly, this Court further finds that the suspension should be stayed to permit counsel an opportunity to review the Hearing Officer's report and petition for review if deemed appropriate. IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the suspension of respondent in this proceeding, Kenneth R. Watson, is stayed until further order of this Court. Respondent shall have up to and including May 1, 1994, to request review as set forth in Ind.Admission and Discipline Rule 23(15)(c) and (d). Should respondent elect to petition for review, the briefing schedule set forth in this rule shall apply thereafter. In the event this Court is called upon to reconsider the recommendation of the Hearing Officer, the disciplinary action imposed on March 15, 1994, will be reconsidered and deemed not binding on any decision ultimately rendered by this Court. THE CLERK OF THIS COURT is directed to show Mr. Richard Kammen as counsel of record for respondent and immediately forward a copy of the Hearing Officer's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation tendered in this case on April 26, 1993, to such counsel.