Opinion ID: 2512658
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Consideration of Probation

Text: In considering the joint recommendation of the respondent and the Disciplinary Administrator that respondent's plan of probation be accepted, the hearing report recited: In order for the Hearing Panel to consider recommending that the Respondent be placed on probation, the Respondent must first comply with Kan. Sup.Ct. R. 211(g)(1) and Kan. Sup.Ct. R. 211(g)(2). Additionally, the Hearing Panel must then consider, based upon the factors detailed in Kan. Sup.Ct. R. 211(g)(3), whether to recommend to the Court that the Respondent be placed on probation. Kan. Sup.Ct. R. 211(g) provides: `(1) If the Respondent intends to request that the Respondent be placed on probation for violating the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct or the Kansas Supreme Court Rules, the Respondent shall provide each member of the Hearing Panel and the Disciplinary Administrator with a workable, substantial, and detailed plan of probation at least ten days prior to the hearing on the Formal Complaint. The plan of probation must contain adequate safeguards that will protect the public and ensure the Respondent's full compliance with the disciplinary rules and orders of the Supreme Court. `(2) If the Respondent provides each member of the Hearing Panel and the Disciplinary Administrator with a plan of probation, the Respondent shall immediately and prior to the hearing on the Formal Complaint put the plan of probation into effect by complying with each of the terms and conditions of the probation plan. `(3) The Hearing Panel shall not recommend that the Respondent be placed on probation unless: (i) the Respondent develops a workable, substantial, and detailed plan of probation and provides a copy of the proposed plan of probation to the Disciplinary Administrator and each member of the Hearing Panel at least ten days prior to the hearing on the Formal Complaint; (ii) the Respondent puts the proposed plan of probation into effect prior to the hearing on the Formal Complaint by complying with each of the terms and conditions of the probation plan; (iii) the misconduct can be corrected by probation; and (iv) placing the Respondent on probation is in the best interests of the legal profession and the citizens of the State of Kansas.' The Respondent provided each member of the Hearing Panel and the Disciplinary Administrator with a workable, substantial, and detailed plan of probation at least ten days prior to the hearing on the Formal Complaint. The Respondent's plan contains adequate safeguards that will protect the public and ensure the Respondent's full compliance with the disciplinary rules and orders of the Supreme Court. The Respondent put the plan of probation into effect by complying with each of the terms and conditions of the probation plan. The Respondent's misconduct can be corrected by probation. Finally, placing the Respondent on probation is in the best interests of the legal profession and the citizens of the State of Kansas. Based upon the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the Standards listed above, the Hearing Panel unanimously recommends that the Court suspend the imposition of discipline and place the Respondent on probation for a period of three years subject to the terms and conditions detailed below: 1. Limitation of Practice. The Respondent shall limit his practice to a part-time practice and shall consist of cases assigned to him by Jared Holste. 2. Practice Supervision. The Respondent's practice will be supervised by Jared Holste. The Respondent and Mr. Holste shall prepare a monthly report to the Disciplinary Administrator's office regarding the Respondent's status on probation. The monthly report shall include a current case list which shall identify each case by name, set forth all deadlines scheduled by the court, a statement regarding whether each deadline for the month was met, and an explanation if a continuance was requested. In the event a deadline is missed, the Respondent and Mr. Holste shall immediately report the missed deadline to the Disciplinary Administrator's office. 3. Office Procedures. The Respondent and Mr. Holste shall develop written office procedures and provide a copy of the written office procedures to the Disciplinary Administrator within 30 days of the date of this report. The written office procedures shall address internal office procedures as well as how Mr. Holste intends to monitor the Respondent's compliance with the terms and conditions of probation, specifically including the limitation of the Respondent's practice. 4. Communication. The Respondent shall make every effort to return telephone calls within two business days of receipt. 5. Professional Liability Insurance. The Respondent shall continue to maintain professional liability insurance. 6. Continued Cooperation. The Respondent shall continue to cooperate with the Disciplinary Administrator's office. If the Disciplinary Administrator's office requests any additional information, the Respondent shall timely provide such information. 7. Additional Violations. The Respondent shall not violate the terms of his probation or the provisions of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. In the event that the Respondent violates any of the terms of probation or any of the provisions of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct at any time during the probationary period, the Respondent shall immediately report such violation to the Disciplinary Administrator. The Disciplinary Administrator shall take immediate action directing the Respondent to show cause why the probation should not be revoked. Costs are assessed against the Respondent in an amount to be certified by the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator and shall be paid within 90 days of the release of the Court's opinion in this case.