Seth Jarad Johnston v. Kentucky Bar Association

Summary

The Supreme Court of Kentucky grants Seth Jarad Johnston’s petition to resign from the Kentucky Bar Association under terms of permanent disbarment. The order follows Johnston’s guilty plea to federal charges involving fraud, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues, and tax fraud, and imposes permanent disbarment, costs, client-notification duties, and cessation of advertising.

Holdings

1. A lawyer who admits violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and satisfies the requirements of SCR 3.480(3) may resign from the Kentucky Bar Association under terms of permanent disbarment; Johnston's motion was appropriate and was granted.
2. Upon permanent disbarment, Johnston was required to pay the costs of the proceeding, notify clients and courts of his inability to represent them, provide copies of notices to the Office of Bar Counsel, and cease advertising activities to the extent possible.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Johnston's motion to resign from the Kentucky Bar Association under terms of permanent disbarment satisfied SCR 3.480(3).
2. Whether Johnston should be permanently disbarred and required to pay proceeding costs and comply with attorney-notification and advertising requirements.

Disposition

other