Court Opinion

ID: 9690360
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 19:08:55.845973+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:52:13.732137
License: Public Domain

LAMBERT, Dissenting Chief Justice.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion as I believe Respondent has shown cause for his tardiness and that the monetary sanction imposed is totally unwarranted. The CLE Commission, through the KBA, asks this Court to impose a $500 dollar fine on this new attorney for little more than bad luck. In his response to the show cause order, Respondent stated:
I attended the first full day of the program. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen car trouble while driving to Covington from Louisville, I was approximately 1 to 2 hours late for the second day of the program.
Though unintentional, I deeply regret this incident. I realize the importance of the program, and this action was not based on any lack of respect for the KBA and such programs.
Unintentional though it may have been, this incident brought to the light the fact that I should be more prepared for unexpected delays and problems. Indeed, I had one year to complete this program, and many of my fellow attorneys had made arrangements to stay close to Covington for the two days of the conference — I should have done the same. *428I am honored to be an attorney in the state of Kentucky. I need to keep in mind, however, that such a position demands certain responsibilities. If there is a danger that such responsibilities cannot be met, I must plan accordingly by making “back-up” arrangements, or otherwise making arrangements that minimize the risk of failing to meet obligations.
Because my non-compliance was not intentional and was not rooted in disrespect for the KBA, I also pray for leniency on the part of this Honorable Court. I have strived to be an attorney that will do honor to the practice of law in Kentucky. I pray that this Honorable Court will offer me a second chance to get organized and arrange my affairs properly so as to avoid missteps such as this.
As always, I am available to discuss this issue in further detail with the KBA or the Kentucky Supreme Court as they see fit.
I offer a formal apology for this incident, and I Thank this Honorable Court for its time and consideration in this matter.
In my judgment, this unrefuted explanation and expression of mea culpa is sufficient and we should accept it as a proper showing of cause. Nothing in Respondent’s behavior suggests a cavalier attitude and I wonder what point the CLE Commission and this Court are making by the disposition. I fear that a disposition such as this will be harmful rather than helpful to the respect and esteem that lawyers hold for the Kentucky Bar Association and the Supreme Court.
This Court has determined that Respondent failed to show cause to avoid suspension and imposition of a $500 penalty for an approximately two hour absence during a program spanning two days.1 Although a new attorney has one year to complete the program, there are only two New Lawyer Skills Programs available in the span of one year. As an illustration, in calendar year 2006, the program will be offered on April 19-20 in Louisville and on October 3-4 in Lexington. Although many new lawyers in our Commonwealth five and work in one of these locations, many do not. Due to personal or work obligations, one may assume that some attorneys in Louisville or Lexington will be unable to attend the program in their city, and must opt to attend in the other city. Practically, this means that many of the attorneys who will attend the program in 2006 must secure lodging for one, if not two nights in order to meet the strict timelines set forth by the CLE Commission. Going rates vary, but one may imagine that a hotel bill will be $200 or more to attend this mandatory event. When other costs are considered, what is presented as a “free” event is something considerably more. Respondent’s drive from Louisville to Covington is hardly unreasonable and is perfectly consistent with proper frugality.
The KBA exists to maintain the integrity of our profession and promote competence and professionalism among attorneys. While I do not advocate a lax attitude toward those who willfully violate Supreme Court CLE rules, this Court should not abandon its discretion to depart from CLE Commission recom*429mendations in appropriate circumstances. Respondent admitted his non-compliance in this matter and provided what appears to be an entirely reasonable explanation, “unforeseen car trouble.” His response gives every indication of candor and his behavior exhibits no indication of dishonesty. An unforeseen event such as car trouble, causing two hours tardiness, should not create a permanent negative mark on what would be otherwise a blank record with the KBA.
This is not a situation in which an attorney scoffed at the program requirement. He appeared on the first day and was on his way from Louisville to Covington for the second day when car trouble struck. A determination that he deserves suspension and the imposition of a $500 fine seems grossly excessive.
GRAVES, J., joins this dissenting opinion.

. In this Court’s opinion, and order, a majority has determined that "Cook has not shown cause why he should not be suspended from the practice of law or otherwise sanctioned. However, we adopt the CLE Commission’s recommendation for sanctions in lieu of suspension.” I interpret this to mean that the majority believes that Respondent could be properly suspended but is showing mercy by imposition of a fine and other non-monetary sanctions.