Court Opinion

ID: 4219146
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-11-09 17:09:58.595361+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:41:51.957658
License: Public Domain

AMENDED: NOVEMBER 7, 2017
                                                         TO BE PUBLISHED

                juprttttt 2017 WL 4310500 (Ky. Sept. 28, 2017). Notably, Respondent likewise failed to

participate in that disciplinary proceeding. Because of his committed

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violations, we suspended Respondent from the practice of law for a period of

thirty (30) days.

      Similarly, in 2014, Respondent received a private reprimand for the

following: 1) violating SCR 3.130-1.3 by failing to file a client's bankruptcy

petition in a timely manner; 2) violating SCR 3.130-l.4(a)(2) by failing to tell his

client that he was not filing her bankruptcy petition because she had not paid

his fee; and 3) violating SCR 3.130-l.4(a)(3) by failing to respond to his client's

requests for information about her bankruptcy proceedings.

      Here, Respondent's misconduct in KBA file 16-DIS-0304 in large part

mirrors that for which he has been previously disciplined, and indicates

repeated noncompliance with the rules of his chosen profession. In the case of

Ky. Bar Assoc. v. Benton, 449 S.W.3d 368 (Ky. 2014), this Court exercised its

discretion, pursuant to SCR 3.380, to suspend Benton indefinitely until he

appeared and accounted for his failure to answer the disciplinary charges.

Likewise, here we believe that indefinite suspension of Respondent's license to

.practice law is warranted until he appears and accounts for his behavior.

      ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT: ·

   1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law indefinitely pursuant

      to SCR 3.380(2).

   2. As required by SCR 3.390, Respondent will, if he has not already done

      so, within 10 days after issuance of this order of suspension from the

      ·practice of law for more than 60 days, notify, by letter duly placed with

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

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   ha~   matters pending, and all clients of his inability to represent them

   and of the necessity and urgency to promptly obtain new counsel.

   Respondent shall simultaneously provide a copy of all such letters of

   notification to the Office of Bar Counsel. Re.spondent 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. Respondent is instructed to promptly take all reasonable steps\o protect

   the interests of his clients. He shall not, during the term of suspension,

   accept new clients or collect unearned fees, and· he shall comply with the

   provisions of SCR 3.130-7.50(5).

  All sitting. All concur.

   ENTERED: November 2, 2017.

                                    c

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                                                               AMENDED: NOVEMBER 7, 2017
                                                                        TO BE PUBLISHED

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                                   2017-SC-000312-KB

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION                                                          MOVANT

V. .                                 IN SUPREME COURT

KENNETH JOSEPH BADER                                                        RESPONDENT

                                          ORDER

        The Opinion and Order of the Court entered November 2, 2017, is amended on

its face by substitution of the attac,hed Opinion and Order in lieu of the original Opinion

and Order. Said correction does not affect the holding of the original Opinion and Order

·of the Court.

                 ENTERED: November        7   , 2017.