In re Meek

Summary

The Kansas Supreme Court considers attorney-discipline charges against Christopher Y. Meek arising from his unlawful possession of hydrocodone obtained from a client. The court finds clear and convincing evidence of violations of KRPC 1.7(a)(2) and 8.4(b), imposes a 40-month suspension, stays 28 months, and places Meek on probation subject to specified conditions.

Holdings

1. Attorney misconduct must be established by clear and convincing evidence, and the evidence in the record established Meek's charged misconduct.
2. Meek violated KRPC 1.7(a)(2) because unlawfully accepting prescription drugs from a client created a substantial risk that his personal interest would materially limit his representation of the client.
3. Meek violated KRPC 8.4(b) because his guilty plea to unlawful possession of hydrocodone constituted criminal conduct that adversely reflected on his fitness as a lawyer.
4. Meek's license to practice law was suspended for 40 months; after 12 months of suspension, the remaining 28 months were stayed and Meek was placed on probation for 28 months subject to specified conditions.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence established that Meek violated KRPC 1.7(a)(2) by creating a concurrent conflict of interest through accepting prescription medication from a client.
2. Whether Meek's guilty plea and unlawful possession of hydrocodone violated KRPC 8.4(b) as criminal conduct adversely reflecting on his fitness as a lawyer.
3. What discipline was appropriate for the violations, including whether suspension followed by probation was warranted.

Disposition

other