Kentucky Bar Ass'n v. Morehead

Summary

The Kentucky Supreme Court adopted the Board of Governors' findings that Donald H. Morehead violated four professional-conduct rules by failing to act diligently, keep his client informed, respond to reasonable requests, and cooperate with disciplinary authorities. The Court imposed a sixty-one-day suspension and ordered Morehead to comply with client-notification requirements and pay $716.57 in costs.

Holdings

1. Morehead was properly adjudged guilty of all four charged violations: lack of reasonable diligence and promptness under SCR 3.130-1.3, failure to keep the client reasonably informed under SCR 3.130-1.4(a)(3), failure to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information under SCR 3.130-1.4(a)(4), and failure to respond to a lawful disciplinary demand under SCR 3.130-8.1(b).
2. A sixty-one-day suspension from the practice of law and payment of $716.57 in costs were appropriate sanctions for Morehead's misconduct, including consideration of his prior suspension for failure to pay Bar dues.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Morehead committed professional misconduct by failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client.
2. Whether Morehead committed professional misconduct by failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the matter and by failing to comply promptly with her reasonable requests for information.
3. Whether Morehead committed professional misconduct by knowingly failing to respond to a lawful demand for information from the disciplinary authority.
4. What discipline should be imposed for the violations, in light of Morehead's prior disciplinary history.

Disposition

approved