Opinion ID: 2573333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: DA10162Complaint by Judge Anthony Powell

Text: Regarding the complaint by Judge Anthony Powell, the hearing panel found the following facts by clear and convincing evidence. For the 2006-2007 attorney registration period, Respondent failed to pay the annual attorney registration, comply with the continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, pay the CLE fee, and pay the CLE noncompliance fee. As a result, on October 11, 2006, this court suspended Respondent's license to practice law. Despite the suspension, Respondent continued to actively practice law. On March 12, 2007, while still under suspension, Respondent appeared in Sedgwick County District Court before the Honorable Anthony Powell on a post-divorce matter. During the hearing, the other party questioned whether Respondent was authorized to appear in court because of the suspension. Judge Powell confronted Respondent about this while on the record during the proceedings. Respondent told Judge Powell he had a petition for reinstatement pending and it's covered. This statement was false. When asked directly whether he was able to appear in court, Respondent answered, Yes. Judge Powell then relied on Respondent's false statements in determining Respondent was able to continue with the proceeding. After appearing before Judge Powell, Respondent took the necessary steps to have his license to practice law reinstated. Thereafter, on April 1, 2007, this court reinstated Respondent to the practice of law. On May 7, 2007, Respondent hand-delivered a letter to Judge Powell. The letter provided as follows: I am writing to you on the case listed above. My law license was suspended from October 11, 2006 through April 1, 2007. My license is now in good status. I had representation on the case listed above in your Court during the time period of my suspension for failing to pay fees and obtain CLE hours. I am sending a similar letter to my client advising him of my suspended status during this time period. I had previously told Mr. Moss that I would not represent him in this modification sought by Ms. Harrison, but because he was out of state I would get him time to make an appropriate response. I did not previously tell him my privilege was not in good standing. I want to apologize to you for appearing in front of you when my privilege to practice was not valid. When you inquired regarding my status, I gave a vague and misleading response, or more accurately non-response. This was entirely improper. I understand that I have a duty to the Court as well as to my clients to make proper representation of my status to practice law, and I have failed to be candid with the Court regarding my status. Please understand that I meant no disrespect to the Court in making this appearance; it was purely my inability to deal with the situation in which I found myself. Again, I apologize to you. A copy of this letter is being sent by me to the Disciplinary Administrator in Topeka.