Kentucky Bar Association v. R. Allen McCartney

Summary

The Kentucky Supreme Court adopts the Kentucky Bar Association Board of Governors' recommendation to permanently disbar R. Allen McCartney. The decision concerns three disciplinary charges involving lack of diligence, inadequate client communication, mishandling of client funds, unreasonable fees, failure to protect client interests, failure to maintain a current bar address, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities. The court also orders McCartney to notify clients and courts of his disbarment and to pay $1,062.36 in proceeding costs.

Holdings

1. The Supreme Court adopted the Board of Governors' findings of fact and conclusions of law that McCartney committed each violation charged in KBA file numbers 14953, 15694, and 16034.
2. Permanent disbarment from the practice of law in Kentucky was warranted.
3. McCartney was required to notify clients and courts of his inability to represent them, provide copies of the notices to the KBA Executive Director, cease advertising activities to the extent possible, and pay $1,062.36 in disciplinary costs.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Board of Governors' default findings that McCartney violated the specified Kentucky Supreme Court Rules should be adopted.
2. Whether permanent disbarment was justified by McCartney's conduct in the three matters and his prior disciplinary history.
3. Whether McCartney should be ordered to comply with client and court-notification requirements and pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

Disposition

other