Opinion ID: 4200062
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: · board's findings and recommendation.

Text: Pursuant to SCR 3.370(5), the Board of Governors decided, by a vote of 16 to 1, that the decision of the Trial Commissioner as to the findings of the violations and de~ree of discipline imposed was supported by substantial evidence and not clearly erroneous. The Board adopted those findings as its own, and made the following Recommendation: The Board of Governors recommends that Respondent be found guilty in KBA File 20948 of violating Count I, SCR 3.130(1.3); Count II, SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3)&(4); Count III, SCR 3.130(1.16)(d); Count IV, SCR 3.130(8.l)(b); and Count V, SCR 3.130(8.4)(c). The Board of Governors recommends that Respondent be found guilty in KBA File 20992 of violating Count I, SCR · 3.130(1.3); Count II, SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3)&(4); and Count III, SCR 3.130(1.16)(d). The Board of Governors recommends that Respondent be found guilty iri KBA File 21884 of violating Count I, SCR 11 3.130(1.3); Count II, SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(2); Count III, SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3)&(4);and Count IV, SCR 3.130(1.16)(d). It further recommends that Respondent be suspended for a period of 181 days. Respondent shall also be ordered to return each client file and make restitution as follows: KBA File 20948: Jody Stiltner - $700.00; KBA File 20992: Vanessa Phillips Gainey - Satisfy the Judgment that was rendered in her favor against the Respondent in small claims court with interest and costs; and · KBA File 21884: Debbie Walker - $2,000.00 retainer. The costs of this proceeding, including amounts incurred after the consideration and vote by the Board, as calculated and certified by the Disciplinary Clerk in the amount of $2768. 76, should be assessed against and paid.by Roger D. Varney, II, as required by SCR 3.450. After reviewing the record, this Court believes sufficient evidence supports the Board's findings that Respondent violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. As to Count I in each File, Respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing. these three clients, in violation of SCR 3.130(1.3). As to Count II in File 21884, charging a violation of SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(2), failure to reasonably consult with a client about the means by which the client's objectives are to be accomplished, Respondent failed to consult with Ms. Walker who wanted permanent custody of her grandchildren, not temporary custody. As to Counts II in File 20948 and File 20992, and Count III in File 21884, Respondent failed to keep all three clients reasonably informed about the status of .their matters and failed to promptly .12 comply with reasonable requests for information, all in violation of SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3)&(4). As to Counts III in File 20948 and 20992, and Count IV in File 21884, Respondent failed upon termination of representation to take steps to protect his.clients' interest, such as surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled· and refunding advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred, all in violation of SCR 3.130(1.16)(d). Respondent violated SCR 3.130(8.l)(b) in File 20948, Count IV, by failing to file a response to the charge. Finally; Respondent violated ·sCR 3.130(8.4)(c), Count Vin.File 20948, by engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, by misrepresenting actions he took on behalf of Mr. Stiltner in his legal action and the status of his claims. In addition, we believe the Board's recommended sanction is consistent with discipline this Court has imposed for similar misconduct. See Curtis v. Kentucky Bar Ass'n, 959 S.W.2d 94 (Ky. 1998). For the aforeme.ntioned reasons, this Court adopts the Board's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations. Therefore, it is ORDERED that: 1 1. Roger D. Varney, II, KBA Member No. 88586, is guilty' of violating SCR 3.130(1.3), three counts; SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(2); SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3)&(4), three counts; SCR 3.130(1.16)(d), three counts; SCR 3.130(8.l)(b); and SCR 3.130(8.4)(c). 13 i 2. Varney is hereby suspended from the practice of law in this Commonwealth for a period of 181 days, which shall run concurrently with any other suspension imposed upon him prior to this Order's date of entry. 3. Varney shall also return each client file and make restitution as follows: a. Jody Stiltner: $700; b. Vanessa Phillips Gainey: Satisfy the Judgment that was rendered in her favor against the Respondent in small claims court with interest and costs; and c. Debbie Walker: $2,0QO. 4. Pursuant to SCR 3.450, Varney is directed to pay all costs associated with this disciplinary proceeding, in the amount of $2,768.76 for which execution may issue from this Court upon)inality of this Order. 5. Pursuant to SCR 3.390, within 10 days after the issuance .of an order of disbarment, or suspension under SCR 3.050 or SCR 3.675(4), or upon issuance of an order of suspension from the practice of law for more than 60 days, Varney shall notify, by letter duly placed with the United States Postal Service, all courts or other tribunals in which Varney has matters pending, and all clients ofVarney's inability to represent them and of.the necessity and urgency of promptly retaining new counsel. Varney shall simultaneously provide a copy of all such letters of notification to the Office of Bar Counsel. Upon issuance of an order of disbarment or suspension, Varney shall immediately cancel any pending advertisements, to the extent possible, and 14 shall terminate any advertising activity for the duration of the term of suspension or disbarment. Minton, C.J.;. Cunningham, Hughes, Keller, VanMeter, and Venters, JJ., sitting. All concur. Wright, J., not sitting. ENTERED: June 15, 2017. 15