Court Opinion

ID: 9371526
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-16 16:04:57.291118+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:28.104933
License: Public Domain

TO BE PUBLISHED

                 Supreme Court of Kentucky
                                   2022-SC-0557-KB

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION                                               MOVANT

V.                                IN SUPREME COURT

STEVEN O. THORNTON                                                   RESPONDENT

                                 OPINION AND ORDER

      Pursuant to SCR1 3.167(1), the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) has

petitioned this Court to enter an order indefinitely suspending Respondent,

Steven O. Thornton, from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of

Kentucky. The KBA asserts Thornton has failed to file an answer to a Charge

as required by SCR 3.164. Thornton’s KBA number is 70895, and his bar

roster address is 1011 Lehman Ave. Ste. 102, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103.

Thornton was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth on

November 1, 1983. He has previously received a private reprimand in 2007 for

violation of SCR 3.130(8.1)(b); a private reprimand in 2008 for violations of SCR

3.130(1.3), (1.4)(a) and (b), (1.5)(c), and (8.1)(b); a public reprimand in 2009 for

violations of SCR 3.130(1.5)(b) and (8.1)(b); a 181-day suspension in 2013 for

violations of SCR 3.130(1.1), (1.3), (1.4), and (8.1)(b) for one client, SCR

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3.130(1.4), (1.5)(a), and (8.1)(b) for a second client, and SCR 3.130(1.4), (1.5)(c),

and (8.1)(b) for a third client; a private admonition in 2013 for violation of SCR

3.130(1.6)(a); and a private reprimand with conditions in 2018 for violations of

SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3) and (4), and (8.1)(b).

        William J. Mainowski and his wife Rosemary, hired Thornton to

represent them in a foreclosure action. The Malinowski’s were non-residents of

Kentucky and had been served the foreclosure complaint by warning order. In

early December 2020, the Malinowksis paid Thornton $5,000 to represent

them and produced several documents requested by Thornton. Approximately

ten days later, the plaintiffs filed a motion for default judgment averring the

Malinowskis had been served by a warning order attorney more than 50 days

prior and had not filed an answer or responsive pleading. The motion noted

Thornton had contacted plaintiff’s counsel seeking a copy of the complaint but

had not entered an appearance.

        On January 6, 2021, the trial court entered a partial default judgment

against the Malinowskis for failing to file an answer. The order noted Thornton

had contacted plaintiff’s counsel but had not entered an appearance nor filed

any pleadings on behalf of the Malinowskis. On February 23, 2021, the trial

court entered a default judgment against the Malinowskis, again noting

Thornton’s apparent involvement and lack of participation in the matter. The

Malinowski’s property was sold by the Master Commissioner in late-March

2021.

        Throughout the pendency of the foreclosure action, Thornton filed no

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responsive pleadings, failed to respond to repeated communications from the

Malinowskis, and failed to discuss with them what steps were being taken on

their behalf. On June 4, 2021, the Mainowskis sent an email to Thornton

requesting a refund of the fee they paid him. Thornton did not respond nor

issue a refund.

      Thornton was served by sheriff with the Malinowski’s Bar Complaint on

August 19, 2022. He did not respond. The Inquiry Commission issued a

Charge against Thornton and service was completed by sheriff on November

20, 2022. No answer was filed.

      Thornton has not participated in the Complaint stage or the formal

Charge stage of these disciplinary proceedings. Due to Thornton’s failure to

timely respond, the KBA requests this Court indefinitely suspend him pursuant

to SCR 3.167. On an examination of the KBA’s petition and supporting

documents, we agree.

      ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

      1. Respondent, Steven O. Thornton, is indefinitely suspended from the

practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, pursuant to SCR 3.167(1);

      2. As required by SCR 3.390, Thornton will within twenty (20) days after

the issuance of this order of suspension notify, by letter duly placed with the

United States Postal Service, all courts or other tribunals in which he has

matters pending of his suspension. Further, he will inform by mail all of his

clients of his inability to represent them and of the necessity and urgency of

promptly retaining new counsel. Thornton shall simultaneously provide a copy

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of all such letters of notification to the Office of Bar Counsel. Thornton shall

immediately cancel any pending advertisements, to the extent possible, and

shall terminate any advertising activity for the duration of the term of

suspension.

      3. As stated in SCR 3.390(1), this order shall take effect on the twentieth

day following its entry. Thornton is instructed to promptly take all reasonable

steps to protect the interests of his clients. He shall not during the term of

suspension accept new clients or collect unearned fees and shall comply with

the provisions of SCR 3.130-7.50(5).

      VanMeter, CJ., Bisig, Conley, Keller, Lambert, and Nickell, JJ., sitting.

All concur. Thompson, J., not sitting.

      ENTERED: February 16, 2023.

                                         _______________________________________
                                         CHIEF JUSTICE

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