Kentucky Bar Ass'n v. Wade

Summary

The Kentucky Supreme Court adopted the Board of Governors' findings that Jeffrey Lee Wade committed multiple violations of the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct across seven disciplinary matters, largely involving neglect, inadequate communication, fee issues, abandonment, and failure to respond to bar complaints. The court imposed a five-year suspension concurrent with existing suspensions, conditioned reinstatement on refunding specified fees, ordered client and court notifications, and assessed costs. The opinion was entered on September 22, 2005.

Holdings

1. Because Wade failed to respond to the disciplinary charges, the matters properly proceeded as default cases under SCR 3.370(10) and SCR 3.210(1), and the court adopted the Board of Governors' decision.
2. Wade was suspended from the practice of law for five years, concurrent with all current suspensions, and could not seek reinstatement until he refunded the fees identified in the opinion.
3. Wade was required to notify clients and courts of his inability to represent them within ten days and to pay $1,120.06 in costs.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court of Kentucky should adopt the Board of Governors' findings of professional misconduct in the seven default disciplinary matters.
2. What discipline and related conditions should be imposed for Wade's violations of the Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct.

Disposition

other