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PORTER v. KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION (2021)

Supreme Court of Kentucky.2021-08-26No. 2018-SC-0115-KB

Summary

Holding. The court granted the Kentucky Bar Association's motion for suspension, suspending Porter from the practice of law in Kentucky for 181 days, effective ten days from the order's entry, conditioned upon his compliance with specified terms including payment of restitution and obtaining a fitness recommendation.

David Joe Porter, an attorney, was previously ordered by the court in August 2018 to pay restitution of $55,613.22 to victims of his professional misconduct. Despite being given nearly eighteen months to comply and show cause why he should not face suspension, Porter failed to make any payments, provide payment documentation, or adequately explain his non-compliance. The court found that Porter had violated the conditional terms imposed in the earlier disciplinary order.

The court granted the Kentucky Bar Association's request to suspend Porter from practicing law for 181 days. Before Porter can resume his legal practice, he must begin making restitution payments to his former clients and provide proof of payment to the Bar Association. During the suspension period, Porter must also avoid further violations of Supreme Court Rules, obtain a fitness recommendation from the Bar Association's Character and Fitness Committee, and pay all outstanding costs from disciplinary proceedings. Failure to meet these conditions could result in permanent disbarment.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Violation of conditional terms of prior disciplinary order
  • Failure to pay court-ordered restitution to clients
  • Compliance requirements for reinstatement after suspension
  • Potential grounds for permanent disbarment

Procedural posture

The Kentucky Bar Association sought to suspend Porter from practice based on his failure to comply with the conditions of a prior August 2018 disciplinary order.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

David Joe Porter

1

has failed to show cause at any point since the most recent Show Cause Order of December 16, 2019, notwithstanding a generous extension of time of nearly a year and a half, why he should not be suspended from the practice of law for 181 days for failing to abide by the conditions of this Courts Opinion and Order of August 16, 2018, made final on August 18, 2018. Specifically, Porter has failed to pay any of the $55,613.22 he owes to various victims of his professional misconduct in the underlying case, to provide proof of such payments, or to explain adequately why he has not reported having made even a partial payment. The KBAs request for Porters temporary suspension from the practice of law for 181 days is GRANTED. As a condition to any consideration for resumption of the practice of law, it being the conditional terms of the disciplinary action against him as set out in our Order in August 2018, Porter must begin payment to his various former clients as set out in the order and provide proof to the KBA Office of Bar Counsel that he has begun to do so.

The Court now ORDERS that:

1. Porter is adjudged to be in violation of the conditional terms of the disciplinary action against him as set out in our Order dated August 16, 2018, and the KBAs motion for suspension is GRANTED.

2. Porter is suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for 181 days, effective ten (10) days from the date of entry of this Opinion and Order, with the restoration of his right to practice conditioned on the fulfillment of the following terms:

a. That Porter commits no further breach of the Supreme Court Rules governing the Practice of Law.

b. That in accordance with SCR 3.510(3) he seeks and obtains recommendation from the Kentucky Bar Associations Character and Fitness Committee regarding his fitness to practice law, with special consideration and respect given to his ability and willingness, if any, to repay those clients he was adjudged responsible for restitution.

c. That Porter is directed to pay all costs associated with these and any other disciplinary proceedings against him which remain unpaid and outstanding, for which execution may issue from this Court upon finality of this Opinion and Order.

d. Should Porter violate any of the foregoing conditions during the 181-day period of suspension, the KBA may seek to revoke suspension and consider permanent disbarment.

/s/ John D. Minron, Jr.

CHIEF JUSTICE

FOOTNOTES

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.   Porters KBA member number is 88085. He maintains a bar roster address at 609 W. H. Dixon Boulevard, Paintsville, KY 41240.

All sitting. All concur.