Opinion ID: 1426153
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: opinion and order of reciprocal discipline

Text: The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) has moved this Court under SCR 3.435 to impose reciprocal discipline on J. Thomas Hardin, KBA No. 81516, whose last known bar roster address is KY Rt. 292; P.O. Box 1416; Inez, Kentucky XXXXX-XXXX. Hardin was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky on April 26, 1986, and in West Virginia on November 6, 1986. On September 13, 2005, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals suspended Hardin from the practice of law for a period of two years, with conditions for reinstatement; notwithstanding the recommendation of the West Virginia Lawyer's Disciplinary Board that he be sanctioned with a Public Reprimand. See Lawyer Disciplinary Board v. Hardin, 217 W.Va. 659, 619 S.E.2d 172, 176 (2005). The KBA now recommends that this Court impose a reciprocal two-year suspension upon Hardin in this jurisdiction. Under SCR 3.435, we ordered Hardin to show cause why reciprocal discipline should not be imposed. Hardin responded, through counsel, as did the KBA. Hardin's claim is that identical reciprocal discipline is not appropriate under SCR 3.435(4)(b) because the misconduct he was disciplined for in West Virginia warrants substantially different discipline under Kentucky law. Following our review of the parties' supplemental briefs, we agree that substantial evidence does exist to warrant the imposition of substantially different discipline in this case pursuant to SCR 3.435(4)(b).