James K. Murphy v. Kentucky Bar Association

TO BE PUBLISHED
ulltrutr Court offlfirufuritv
2014-SC-000157-KB
JAMES K. MURPHY MOVANT
V. IN SUPREME COURT
KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESONDENT
OPINION AND ORDER
The Movant, James K. Murphy, under SCR 3.480(2), moves this Court to
enter an Order resolving the pending disciplinary proceeding against him (KBA
File No. 21770) by imposing a public reprimand with conditions (including that
the reprimand can be converted into a 61-day suspension if Movant fails to
comply with the conditions). This motion is the result of an agreement with Bar
Counsel for the Kentucky Bar Association. For the following reasons, the
motion is granted.
Movant was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of
Kentucky on October 22, 1993; his KBA member number is 84900. Movant's
bar roster address is 312 S. 4th St., Suite 700, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.
Movant acknowledges the following facts.
On February 9, 2013, Movant was arrested for aggravated DUI, third
offense. (Movant had two prior DUI convictions, one in June 2008 and one in
March 2011.) After the arrest, he contacted KYLAP and executed a two-year
supervision agreement. He has remained compliant with that agreement,
participating in counseling and unannounced urinalysis tests (with no adverse
results). In his motion, he acknowledges that he has issues with alcohol and
states that he sought KYLAP assistance out of an earnest desire to maintain
his sobriety.
On June 28, 2013, Movant pleaded guilty to the offense, which is a class
A misdemeanor under KRS 189A.010(5)(c). Movant did not, however, provide
the Office of Bar Counsel with a copy /of the judgment upon his conviction, as
required by SCR 3.320.'
In January 2014, the Inquiry Commission issued a two-count charge
against Movant alleging a violation of SCR 3.130-3.4(c) 2 for not complying with
SCR 3.320 and a violation of SCR 3.130-8.4(b) 3 by committing aggravated DUI,
third offense. Movant now admits that his conduct violated these Rules of
Professional Conduct.
The Movant now asks this Court to enter an order in conformity with his
negotiations with the KBA's Office of Bar Counsel. The proposed sanction is a
public reprimand with the conditions that Movant comply with the terms of the
supervision agreement with KYLAP and submit quarterly status reports to the
1 SCR 3.320 states: "Any member of the Association who is convicted of a felony
or class "A" misdemeanor, shall within 10 days following the plea of guilty, finding of
guilt by a judge or jury, or upon the entry of judgment, whichever occurs first, file a
copy of the judgment with Bar Counsel. The prosecuting attorney shall also file a copy
of said judgment with Bar Counsel for action under SCR 3.160. Bar Counsel shall
submit copies of the judgment to the Inquiry Commission which may take action
under SCR 3.165."
2 "A lawyer shall not ... knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a
tribunal except for an open refusal based on an assertion that no valid obligation
exists ...." SCR 3.130-3.4(c).
3 "It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to ... commit a criminal act that
reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in
other respects ...." SCR 3.130-8.4(b).
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Office of Bar Counsel for a period of two years following this order. Movant also
has agreed that if he fails to comply with the conditions, the Office of Bar
Counsel may move this Court to convert the reprimand to a 61-day suspension
from the practice of law. Additionally, Movant agrees that his reprimand can be
converted into a 61-day suspension if he receives a charge of professional
misconduct for any conduct discovered or occurring after entry of this order.
The Office of Bar Counsel has no objection and asks that the motion be
granted. Bar Counsel cites two cases that support the proposed sanction. See
King v. Kentucky BarAss'n, 377 S.W.3d 541 (Ky. 2012) (imposing public
reprimand, with two-year probationary period with conditions the violation of
which would convert public reprimand into 61-day suspension, for DUI, third
offense); Lyons v. Kentucky BarAss'n, 381 S.W.3d 317 (Ky. 2012) (converting
private reprimand for DUI, second offense, to public reprimand upon
subsequent conviction for DUI, third offense).
According to the KBA, the Chair of the Inquiry Commission and a Past
President of the KBA have reviewed and approved the sanction proposed by the
Movant. The Movant has no history of past discipline.
The negotiated sanction rule provides that "[t]he Court may consider
negotiated sanctions of disciplinary investigations, complaints or charges if the
parties agree." SCR 3.480(2). Specifically, "the member and Bar Counsel [must]
agree upon the specifics of the facts, the rules violated, and the appropriate
sanction." Id. Upon receiving a motion under this Rule, "[t]he Court may
approve the sanction agreed to by the parties, or may remand the case for
hearing or other proceedings specified in the order of remand." Id. Thus,
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acceptance of the proposed negotiated sanction still falls within the discretion
of the Court. After reviewing the allegations, the Movant's previous disciplinary
record, and the cases cited by Bar Counsel, this Court concludes that the
discipline proposed by Movant is adequate.
Order
ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. The Movant, James K. Murphy, is found guilty of the above-described
and admitted violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. The Movant is publicly reprimanded for his misconduct, on the
condition that Movant comply with the terms of his existing
supervision agreement with KYLAP and submit quarterly status
reports to the Office of Bar Counsel for a period of two years following
this order.
a. If Movant fails to comply with the condition, the Office of Bar
Counsel may move this Court to convert the reprimand to a 61-
day suspension from the practice of law.
b. This reprimand can also be converted into a 61-day suspension
if Movant receives a charge of professional misconduct for any
conduct discovered or occurring during the two-year period
immediately following entry of this order.
3. In accordance with SCR 3.450, Movant is directed to pay all costs
associated with these disciplinary proceedings against him, said sum
being $86.19, for which execution may issue from this Court upon
finality of this Opinion and Order.
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All sitting. All concur.
ENTERED: June 19, 2014.
ustice
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