Court Opinion

ID: 5098348
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-01 19:45:18.332002+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:20:54.587020
License: Public Domain

OPINION AND ORDER
Michael L. James of Louisville, Kentucky, moves this Court, pursuant to SCR 3.480(3), for an order suspending him from the practice of law in Kentucky for a period of one year from the date of the order and for sixty days, to run concurrently with the one-year suspension. James acknowledges his misconduct in the following pending disciplinary matters.
KBA Charge 7125
The Inquiry Commission on September 18, 1999, issued a three-count charge against James arising from his representation of a client and her claim for personal injury sustained in an accident. On September 24,1993, James filed a complaint in circuit court and on October 20, 1994, the circuit court filed a notice to dismiss for lack of prosecution. No action was taken by James and the order dismissing for lack of prosecution was entered November 23, 1994. On November 25, 1994, he filed a motion to continue, which was denied on December 7.
*926James failed to inform his client that her case had been dismissed for lack of prosecution and that a motion to continue it was also denied. In May of 1995, he advised the client that the case was ongoing and would likely go to trial in August of that year. In May, the client discovered from another attorney that the case had been dismissed in November of 1994. She dismissed James and hired a successor attorney who filed an Entry of Appearance and Motion for Relief from an Order of Dismissal which was denied.
In Count I of KBA File 7125, the Inquiry Commission charges James with a violation of SCR 3.130-1.3 which provides that a lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client. In Count II of KBA File 7125, the commission charges James with a violation of SCR 3.130-1.4(a) which provides that a lawyer should keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with the reasonable request for information.
Count III of KBA File 7125 recites the Inquiry Commission charge against James for a violation of SCR 3.130-8.3(c) which provides that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
James admits that he violated the above mentioned Supreme Court Rules by failing or refusing to take necessary steps to avoid the dismissal of the case; by failing to inform the client that her case was dismissed for lack of prosecution; by failing to inform her that the motion to continue was denied and by falsely advising her in May 1995 that her case was going to trial in August 1995, when it had already been dismissed in November 1994.
KBA 7282
On December 14, 1999, the Inquiry Commission issued a one-count charge against James which arose from his representation of a client while he was under a 30-day suspension by order of this Court. James has not been reinstated to the practice of law by this Court pending a determination of an objection to automatic reinstatement upon the expiration of 30 days.
In Count I of File 7282, the Inquiry Commission charges James with a violation of SCR 3.130-5.5(a), which provides that “a lawyer shall not practice law in a jurisdiction where doing so violates the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction.” James admits that he violated the rule by appearing at a mediation conference representing a client in a ease in the Jefferson Circuit Court while he was suspended from the practice of law in Kentucky.
James desires to terminate the disciplinary proceedings by consenting to a suspension from the practice of law for one year and 60 days, with the 60 days to run concurrent with the one-year suspension. He acknowledges that his conduct alleged in Counts I, II and III of KBA File 7125 and Count I of KBA File 7282 constitutes unethical and unprofessional conduct.
James was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky in 1985. He was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days on September 3, 1998, and suspended from the practice of law again by order of this Court for six months beginning on October 21,1999.
It is hereby ORDERED that:
1) The motion of James for suspension from the practice of law for a period of one year from the date of this order and for 60 days to run concurrent with that year is GRANTED.
2) James shall not be permitted to engage in the practice of law as defined by SCR 3.020 in Kentucky for at least one year and until such time as the Supreme Court of Kentucky enters an order reinstating his membership in the Kentucky Bar Association.
3) James may seek reinstatement after one year from the date of this order, only under the terms of the rules of court in *927effect at the time readmission is sought, as well as any other terms ordered by this Court.
4) In accordance with SCR 3.450 and SCR 3.480(3), James is directed to pay all costs associated with this disciplinary proceeding against him in the amount of $42.03. Upon finality of this Opinion and Order, execution may issue from this Court for said costs.
5) Pursuant to SCR 3.390, James is ORDERED to provide notice to all clients that he currently represents, if applicable, of his inability to perform legal services and to notify all courts in which he has matters pending of his suspension and to provide the Director of the Kentucky Bar Association with a copy of all such letters simultaneous to their mailing.
Entered: March 23, 2000.
/s/ Joseph E. Lambert Chief Justice.
LAMBERT, C.J., COOPER, JOHNSTONE, KELLER WINTERSHEIMER and STUMBO, JJ., concur.
GRAVES, J., dissents and would impose greater discipline.