Overview of the Disciplinary Process Kentucky and Ohio
Kentucky Grievant Respondent Office of Bar Counsel Inquiry Commission (3 panels of 2 lawyers and one lay person) Trial Commissioner (69 volunteer members of KBA) Board of Governors of the KBA (President, President Elect, Vice President, 14 elected members of Board and 4 lay members) Supreme Court
Grievant Respondent Certified Grievance Committees (32 local bar associations) Office of Disciplinary Counsel Board of Professional Conduct (17 attorneys, 7 Judges, 4 Laypeople) Supreme Court
Initial Investigation Responding to an Inquiry Confidentiality of Investigation
Determination of Probable cause Confidentiality
Pretrial Procedure
Trial Appeal/Final Decision
Sanctions Aggravating and Mitigating factors
Ohio and Kentucky similar In connection with a disciplinary matter, a lawyer shall not: ◦ Knowingly make a false statement of material fact; or ◦ Fail to disclose a material fact or knowingly fail to respond to a demand for information from a disciplinary authority
Kentucky (a): A lawyer who knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects, shall inform the Association's Bar Counsel. Ohio 8.3(a): A lawyer who possesses unprivileged knowledge of a violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a question as to any lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects, shall inform a disciplinary authority empowered to investigate or act upon such a violation.