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Lawrence Attorney Ethics & Judicial Conduct Defense Lawyers

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, we take our dedication to legal practice very seriously. We want our colleagues in the bar and on the bench to have the same support and counsel they have offered to others throughout their careers. As lawyers for lawyers, JHC’s Lawrence attorney ethics and judicial conduct lawyers represent judges, private practitioners, and in-house counsel in all matters that fall under the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct and the Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct.

Here to Help When You Are Facing a Complaint

Ethics rules applicable to Kansas lawyers and judges require cooperating during the investigation of alleged rule violations and misconduct—beginning with an informal, written response to the complaint. If the complaining party is mistaken in believing a violation has occurred, a robust response offering context and detail can stop the process from progressing. For a number of reasons, however, it can be difficult to craft a response on your own. You have a heavy workload and clients/cases to attend to. Sometimes, you’re too close to the issue to understand what the investigator will need to fully assess the situation. JHC’s Lawrence attorney ethics and judicial conduct defense lawyers can help. By helping you assess and address the key issues, we may be able to prevent any more from coming of the complaint.

It can be even more difficult to respond when the complaint does have merit. But the manner in which you respond to a meritorious allegation can have a significant impact on the ultimate discipline imposed. JHC’s Lawrence attorney ethics and judicial conduct defense attorneys can assist by identifying when an allegation has teeth as well as advising you how best to respond.

By Your Side During Formal Disciplinary Proceedings

If the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator or Commission on Judicial Conduct determines a case should be docketed, you will face proceedings that borrow parts of civil and criminal procedure. As early as your response deadline, you should have formulated at least an outline of how you intend to approach the case. That may mean challenging everything, it may mean admitting fault and accepting discipline, or it may require a combination of the two.

Again, because your professional career weighs in the balance, it can feel extremely personal. While understanding and sympathetic, JHC’s Lawrence attorney and judicial professional responsibility lawyers can provide you with an objective perspective—one that you or even your law partners cannot achieve under the circumstances. We work with our clients to evaluate legal defenses as well as the practical ramifications of available options.

With years of experience defending Kansas lawyers and judges, our Lawrence attorney and judicial professional responsibility lawyers are also familiar with disciplinary procedures as well as the individuals involved in the disciplinary process. We can take the leg work off your plate, allowing you to attend to your day job while we work on your behalf. We know what to expect and use our unique perspective to guide you through the process.

Assistance with Kansas Bar Applications

In addition to defending practicing lawyers and sitting judges, JHC’s Lawrence attorney ethics and judicial conduct attorneys also advise attorneys who want to apply for admission to the Kansas bar or who have submitted applications for admission. Some of our clients seek our help to address issues they know may cause a barrier to admission. Others contact us after the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator’s Office has flagged their applications. No matter your situation, we are your attorney and judicial professional responsibility law firm.

JHC’s professional legal responsibility, ethics, and disciplinary attorneys in Lawrence counsel lawyers and judges throughout the state of Kansas. If you need assistance with a license or disciplinary issue, call us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Attorney Ethics and Judicial Conduct

Do I need an attorney for my professional responsibility or judicial conduct case?

It depends on the stage of your case, the nature of the allegations, and your level of comfort with handling the case on your own.

If you are at the initial complaint stage, confident the complaint is meritless, and have the documents and records to show it, you may be fine responding on your own as long as you have time to devote to it (make the time!). It is a good idea to at least have a trusted colleague review the complaint and your response, though.

If the complaint has merit, raises really sticky issues, harkens back to a previous disciplinary issue or suggests it is continuing, is one of many similar complaints, or involves allegations of mishandled funds or sexual harassment, seriously consider hiring counsel. Also considering hiring counsel if an action is docketed—especially one raising any of the foregoing issues.

Particularly if you intend to mount a factual or legal dispute, be honest with yourself about how much time you have to devote to defending the case on your own.

Finally, contact your malpractice insurance provider. It may pay for counsel of your own choosing.

If I have a pending disciplinary complaint or case, do I have to inform my clients?

No, you do not—except as specifically required by the disciplinary administrator.

Will my disciplinary hearing be open to the public?

Yes. The rules applicable to attorney discipline proceedings and judicial discipline proceedings make the formal hearing open to the public. Personal information related to clients and litigants may be abbreviated to maintain confidentiality.

Can my competitor in the same practice area file a complaint against me to gain a competitive advantage? Can someone running for my judicial seat file a complaint to make me look bad?

Yes. Anyone can file a complaint against an attorney or a judge, no matter the motivation for it. If the complaint is frivolous, they may be subject to sanctions from the disciplinary authority. But the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator and the Commission on Judicial Conduct accept and consider complaints from all sources—even when the complainants have ulterior motives.