Court Opinion

ID: 9685893
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 15:07:59.008507+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:59.448930
License: Public Domain

TO BE PUBLISHED

               Supreme Court of Kentucky
                                2023-SC-0291-KB

MEREDITH LYNN LAWRENCE                                                    MOVANT

V.                            IN SUPREME COURT

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION                                            RESPONDENT

                               OPINION & ORDER

      This case is before the Court upon the Movant Meredith Lynn Lawrence’s

motion for reinstatement under SCR 3.502. His KBA Member Number is

40365. In 2017, Lawrence was suspended from the practice of law for five

years, retroactive to July 6, 2012, as a result of his conviction for tax fraud in

the United States District Court for Eastern Kentucky. Lawrence v. Kentucky

Bar Association, 533 S.W.3d 686, 687 (Ky. 2017). We noted in that opinion that

he had already paid full restitution totaling $128,000 at the time of

suspension. Id. at 686.

      Since his release from prison, Lawrence has worked a cattle farm, as well

as being a small business owner in Northern Kentucky. He filed his motion for

reinstatement on April 23, 2018, and the Character and Fitness Committee

conducted a hearing on August 16, 2021. The length of time between the

motion and hearing is unexplained by the Board of Governors but the KBA did

not oppose Lawrence’s reinstatement at the hearing. In fact, both the KBA and
Lawrence submitted joint findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of

reinstatement with the Character and Fitness Committee. Those were adopted

by the Committee on October 28, 2021. On February 28, 2022, the Board of

Governors unanimously recommended Lawrence’s reinstatement by a 17-0

vote, with two members absent and two members recused.

      The Committee’s findings of fact included that Lawrence had complied

with the terms of his suspension; demonstrated worthiness of trust and

confidence of the public; possessed sufficient professional capabilities to serve

as a lawyer; and his acknowledgment of wrongdoing, contrition, and

rehabilitation of character. The Board noted these findings were made “after a

full adversarial hearing and supported by a host of affidavits from both lawyers

and non-lawyers vouching for Lawrence’s good character and positive

reputation in the community.”

      Given the findings of the Committee; the lack of opposition by the KBA;

and the unanimous recommendation of the Board, we conclude Lawrence has

met the conditions necessary for reinstatement. His recognition of wrong-doing

and restitution was noted back in 2017. Id. Since that time, he has complied

with the requirements of his suspension, has been a law-abiding citizen and

businessman, and has rehabilitated himself. His reinstatement is consistent

with similar cases such as Greene v. Kentucky Bar Association, 904 S.W.2d 233

(Ky. 1995). In Greene, we reinstated an attorney to the practice of law after he

was suspended for his conviction for defrauding investors in excess of

$250,000 but had demonstrated remorse, made some restitution, and had

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contacted his victims and agreed to repayment plans with all of them for the

remaining restitution. Id. at 234-36.

      Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the application for

reinstatement to the practice of law by Meredith L. Lawrence is approved

subject to the following conditions:

         1. Lawrence complies with the terms of SCR 3.503(6). The results of

            Lawrence’s examination shall be certified by the Board of Bar

            Examiners to this Court and the Executive Director of the KBA;

         2. Lawrence shall pay the cost of the proceedings, totaling $593.12,

            pursuant to SCR 3.503(5). Also, if the additional KBA costs exceed

            the posted bond, Lawrence shall pay the excess. If there are any

            funds remaining from the posted bond after the Office of Bar

            Admissions and KBA have recovered their costs, said funds shall

            be paid back to Lawrence.

      All sitting. All concur.

      ENTERED: August 24, 2023

                                            ______________________________________
                                            CHIEF JUSTICE

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