Disciplinary Actions: Jan. 1-March 28, 2022
Read a summary of disciplinary decisions handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court during the first quarter of 2022.
Disciplinary Commission
Articles
Bell and Grass: 3 things to know: Commenting on pending legal matters
Have you recently been hired on a case and know the media want to talk to you? Before you post a comment on social media or conduct an interview, you should stop and think of the potential ethical implications. Those implications are outlined in the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s recently issued Advisory Opinion 1-22, “Lawyers’ Public Comments on Pending Matters.”
Advisory opinions offered on statements made by judicial candidates, lawyers commenting on pending legal matters
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications and Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission have issued advisory opinions regarding statements targeted at opponents made by candidates running for judicial office and public statements made by lawyers regarding pending disputes, including on social media.
Pro se attorney gets public reprimand from justices for direct email to opposing party
Describing an Indianapolis lawyer as “his own worst enemy” when it comes to electronic communications, a split Indiana Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand after the lawyer sent a threatening email directly to an opposing party rather than working through another lawyer. A dissenting justice, however, said the rule in question in this issue of first impression does not apply to pro se lawyers like the attorney who was disciplined.
Immigration attorney suspended again for unauthorized practice of law
An Indianapolis attorney already on probation following a suspension will have to serve the remaining balance of her suspended time after she was found to have practiced law while under a reciprocal suspension order.
Lying to client about filing lawsuit gets Indy attorney at least 1-year suspension
An Indianapolis attorney has been suspended from the practice of law for no less than one year without automatic reinstatement after he lied to a client about filing a lawsuit on her behalf and failed to inform her that she may have had an actionable malpractice claim against him.
IN Supreme Court converts Fort Wayne lawyer’s suspension to without automatic reinstatement
A Fort Wayne lawyer set to be reinstated to the practice of law in Indiana on Saturday has instead been ordered to petition for reinstatement after failing to fulfill the duties of a suspended lawyer.
Indy attorney already under CLE suspension now suspended for noncompliance
An Indianapolis attorney already under a suspension for CLE noncompliance is now facing an additional suspension for failing to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation action filed against him.
Threatening to expose intimate photos gets attorney 90-day suspension
Angola attorney Allen R. Stout has been suspended from the practice of law for three months with automatic reinstatement after he was found to have deliberately deceived and bullied a woman who was seeking a protective order against his client.
Valpo attorney put on indefinite suspension for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended Valparaiso attorney Bryan M. Truitt from practicing law in Indiana for failing to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation against him.
Indianapolis attorney reinstated after suspension for lying on law school, bar applications
An Indianapolis attorney who was previously suspended for lying on his law school and bar admission applications may once again practice law in the Hoosier State.
Suspended Indy attorney suspended again for noncompliance
Attorney J. David Massey has been suspended for failing to cooperate with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s investigation of a grievance filed against him.
Attorney suspended without automatic reinstatement for misconduct resulting in 12 rule violations
Carmel attorney P. Adam Davis has been suspended from the practice of law for one year without automatic reinstatement after the Indiana Supreme Court found he violated 12 professional conduct and admission rules arising from two separate disciplinary actions.
Justices reprimand Plainfield lawyer, former bar foundation leader for ‘materially limited’ representation
The Indiana Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded a former Indianapolis Bar Foundation president for his role in providing legal advice to a former client despite being “materially limited” by his own personal interest in the matter.
Nonlawyer assistant’s failure to properly notarize is attorney’s responsibility, disciplinary commission advises
Attorneys are responsible for ensuring that their nonlawyer assistants properly notarize documents, a new advisory opinion from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission says. If not, supervising attorneys can face discipline.
Justices suspend lawyers for failure to pay Disciplinary Commission
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended two attorneys from the practice of law in Indiana after neither paid fees they owed to the court’s Disciplinary Commission for the costs of prosecuting them.
Zionsville attorney suspended after second OWI
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a Zionsville lawyer following his conviction of felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated, his second OWI conviction.
Indiana Supreme Court suspends Valparaiso attorney for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended Valparaiso attorney Bryan M. Truitt from practicing law for failing to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation against him.
Plymouth lawyer agrees he violated professional conduct rules
A Plymouth attorney has agreed with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission he violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules while representing a client during a divorce case.
Oakland City attorney suspended for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended Oakland City attorney Darlene C. Robinson for failing to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation against her.