Opinion ID: 2515945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Complaint of Donnell-Brown

Text: Donnell-Brown alleged that her parents, Wilbert and Ruby Luetjen, received an unsolicited mailing to attend an Estate Planning Workshop on April 4, 2001, conducted by CLA USA in Warsaw, Missouri. As a result of attending the workshop, Dennis P. Huff, Account Representative for CLA USA met later the same day with her and her parents at the Luetjen residence. At the meeting, Huff provided the business card of Respondent to the Luetjens, advising them that Respondent would be the lawyer to prepare their trust documents. The mailing from CLA USA that the Luetjens responded to did not indicate that it came from an attorney. Donnell-Brown claims that Huff pressured her parents to make a decision that CLA USA would take care of everything without her parents having to meet with an attorney. Also, according to Donnell-Brown, Huff provided advice to the Luetjens concerning trust instruments and the means to avoid estate taxes and probate. Huff further informed the Luetjens that Respondent would prepare the trust documents, but that it was not necessary for them to meet with him. Respondent has never met or talked with the Luetjens. The Disciplinary Administrator withdrew its support of Respondent's 2-year plan of supervised probation. The revised recommendation of the Disciplinary Administrator was that Respondent receive the sanctions of 1-year suspension from the practice of law and published censure. On September 5, 2001, prior to oral argument, Respondent and the Disciplinary Administrator amended their recommendations to this court based on additional information provided by Respondent. The parties recommended that Respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 6 months and Respondent be placed on a 2-year period of supervised probation upon Respondent's reinstatement to practice law. Recommendations as to the type of discipline from either a hearing panel or the Disciplinary Administrator are advisory only, and this court may impose a greater or lesser sanction as deemed appropriate. Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 212(f) (2000 Kan. Sup. Ct. R. Annot. 254). DISCIPLINE IMPOSED: The court, having considered the record herein and reports of the hearing panel, concurs in the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the panel. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that imposition of discipline against Respondent, Stephen Paul Flack, be suspended and that he be placed on probation for a period of 2 years from this date on the terms and conditions hereinafter set out: 1. Respondent shall not associate with ALMS or associated businesses. 2. Within 60 days of the final hearing report, Respondent shall contact all clients who engaged his legal services though ALMS or associated businesses and who paid Respondent attorney fees. Respondent shall notify each of these clients that Respondent is no longer affiliated with ALMS or associated companies. If the clients desire, Respondent shall (1) determine whether the clients received appropriate representation, (2) return the attorney fees paid, and (3) provide appropriate representation. 3. Respondent shall timely and appropriately respond to requests for restitution made by clients obtained through ALMS and associated companies. Restitution may include return of attorney fees paid as well as payment for any injuries suffered as a result of Respondent's association with ALMS or associated companies. 4. Respondent shall continue to maintain professional liability insurance. 5. In addition to the standard requirement of 12 continuing legal education hours, Respondent shall successfully complete the New Lawyer Practical Skills Program developed pursuant to Kansas Supreme Court Rule 802A (2000 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 540) during the first year of Respondent's probation. 6. Respondent shall refrain from violating the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. 7. Respondent shall be supervised by William G. Hammond, a duly licensed Kansas attorney. While serving as Respondent's supervising attorney, Mr. Hammond shall act as an agent of the court and, accordingly, be afforded the immunities granted by Rule 223 (2000 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 283). Mr. Hammond shall meet with Respondent biweekly. Mr. Hammond shall have access to Respondent's files, employees, and trust account. Mr. Hammond shall monitor the following: (1) whether Respondent continues to refrain from associating with ALMS and associated companies, (2) whether Respondent contacted each client obtained through ALMS and associated companies, informed them that he is no longer associated with ALMS and associated companies, and offered to determine whether the clients received appropriate representation, offered to return the attorney fees paid, and offered to provide appropriate representation, (3) whether Respondent has timely and appropriately responded to requests for restitution from clients obtained through ALMS and associated companies, (4) whether Respondent has current professional liability insurance, (5) whether Respondent has successfully completed the New Lawyer Practical Skills Program developed pursuant to Rule 802A, and (6) whether Respondent has engaged in violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. Mr. Hammond shall report to the Disciplinary Administrator on a quarterly basis regarding the items listed above. Mr. Hammond shall immediately report any material deviation from proper practice to the Disciplinary Administrator. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that costs are to be assessed against Respondent in the amount certified by the office of the Disciplinary Administrator. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if Respondent fails to abide by the conditions set forth herein, a show cause order shall issue to Respondent, and we will take whatever disciplinary action appears just and proper without further formal proceedings. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this order be published in the official Kansas Reports and that costs herein be assessed to Respondent.