VIII. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE
A. Kentucky Bar Association v. James B. Gray 2010-SC-000381-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All sitting; all concur. Supreme Court revoked attorney’s probation and reinstated the remainder of his five-year suspension for violating the conditions of his probation.
B. Kentucky Bar Association v. Margaret M. Jackson-Rigg
2011-SC-000212-KB October 27, 2011
2011-SC-000329-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All sitting; all concur. The Supreme Court permanently disbarred an attorney from the practice of law based on her pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, bad faith obstruction of the disciplinary process, illegal conduct, and her substantial experience in the practice of law. The attorney also had received three private reprimands and had been suspended three times.
C. Kentucky Bar Association v. Ronald E. Thornsberry 2011-SC-000352-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All sitting; all concur. The Supreme Court suspended an attorney from the practice of law for thirty days. The attorney participated in a case in Ohio, and appeared before a judge, without filing a pro hoc vice motion. He represented to the court and the KBA that he had filed such a motion when no motion was ever filed. The attorney also failed to keep his client informed about the status of her case and failed to return files to her upon the termination of representation.
D. Kentucky Bar Association v. Joseph F. Bamberger 2011-SC-000378-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All concur. Schroder, J., not sitting. The Supreme Court permanently disbarred an attorney from the practice of law due to the highly egregious nature of his ethical violations stemming from his participation in the “Fen-Phen” case.
E. Maureen Ann Sullivan v. Kentucky Bar Association 2011-SC-000533-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All sitting; all concur. The Court adopted a negotiated agreement between Sullivan and the KBA that resolved four pending disciplinary proceedings against Sullivan. Sullivan was suspended from the practice of law for 61 days, with 31 days of that suspension probated for one year. Sullivan was required to complete the KBA’s Ethics and Professionalism Enhancement Program and to refund certain client fees.
F. Christopher Vavro v. Kentucky Bar Association 2011-SC-000538-KB October 27, 2011
Opinion and Order of the Court. All sitting; all concur. The Supreme Court approved a negotiated sanction suspending an attorney from the practice of law for sixty-one days for continuing to practice law after he had been suspended for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. The attorney, while under suspension, sent a letter to an insurance company negotiating a settlement on behalf of a client.
