Opinion ID: 2569176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Equal Protection Principles

Text: Respondent's equal protection argument is bizarre. He asserts error in the disparate treatment between the manner in which the State of Kansas, acting through this Court, disciplines sitting judges as opposed to other professionals. We discipline only judges and attorneys. Respondent first suggests a different standard of proof is required in each type of disciplinary case. His suggestion is erroneous. The standard of proof in both judicial discipline and in attorney discipline matters is clear and convincing evidence. See Supreme Court Rule 620; In re Rome, 218 Kan. 198, Syl. ¶ 9; Supreme Court Rule 211(f). Respondent also suggests he has been singled out and made an example of, running afoul of the dictates of Taylor v. Taylor, 185 Kan. 324, 328, 342 P.2d 190 (1959). Respondent does not say how this alleged disparate treatment rises to the level of a violation of equal protection. In Taylor, a divorce case, an attorney regularly engaged in practice in Missouri and also licensed in Kansas argued he had been singled out for disparate treatment. The district court instructed the attorney that he must associate with a local Kansas attorney to proceed in district court. A Supreme Court Rule at the time provided that an attorney regularly practicing outside Kansas may be recognized in a proceeding only after associating with local counsel. This court held the attorney was not singled out or made an example of. The attorney, by his own choice brought himself within the rule by regularly practicing in Missouri. 185 Kan. at 328. Respondent's equal protection claim fails.