Home » Wichita Professional Licensure Defense Lawyers » Wichita Attorney Ethics & Judicial Conduct Defense Lawyers

Dedicated to the Kansas legal community and the lawyers and judges who make it run, Joseph, Hollander & Craft strives to offer formidable representation to our colleagues facing matters before the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys and the Commission on Judicial Conduct. We advise and defend attorneys in all matters related to the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as litigation matters involving questions of contempt and discovery disputes. And we assist Kansas judges and judicial candidates with all matters related to the Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct.

Lawyers for Lawyers and Judges

An accusation that your professional conduct has fallen below the bar can be disheartening. Sometimes it is positively devastating. Some are so upset by the process that it becomes difficult to muster the determination to respond. But that initial response may prove critical to how the matter resolves. A detailed letter offering context and supporting documentation can prevent a baseless complaint from getting docketed for formal hearing, whereas a glib response may cause further trouble—particularly when the initial complaint has teeth to it.

At this early stage of a disciplinary action, it is important to pinpoint the key issues and address them head-on. This requires attention to the relevant rules or canons as well as the facts. When it all seems overwhelming or you believe an extended disciplinary process lies ahead, JHC’s Wichita attorney ethics and judicial conduct defense lawyers can help. In addition to counseling you regarding how to respond, we can prepare you for formal proceedings.

Disciplinary Hearing Defense

You are no stranger to the legal system. You know where to find the applicable rules and how to apply them. But representing clients and making legal rulings is not the same as defending your own reputation, license, and livelihood. When your future is at stake, your ordinarily keen legal judgment may become blunted. Hiring counsel may be necessary to ensure someone in your corner can offer a truly dispassionate perspective against which to frame your defense. Moreover, you have a full plate of clients and cases to attend to. Taking on the workload of your own defense, in addition to the emotional load it carries, may push you past capacity. With JHC on your side, you can be confident that your interests are protected and your bases are covered.

After years of defending Kansas lawyers and judges, our Wichita attorney and judicial professional responsibility lawyers start out a few steps ahead. We know the law, we know the procedure, and we know the people involved in the disciplinary process. We work with our clients to develop thoughtful defense plans that balance legal and practical interests. And we guide our clients through the entire disciplinary process—from the initial investigation, through the formal hearing, and on to the Kansas Supreme Court if needed.

Attorneys for Kansas Bar Applicants

In addition to defending our colleagues before the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys and the Commission on Judicial Conduct, we offer advice and advocacy for applicants to the Kansas bar. Whether the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator’s Office has flagged your application for further inquiry or you need counsel before you get that far, JHC’s Wichita attorney ethics and judicial conduct attorneys are at the ready.

We are invested in a legal system that holds attorneys to high standards, not impossible standards. When you have made the effort to overcome issues from your past and are fit to assist clients, we will help you make your case for admission to practice.

Call JHC’s professional legal responsibility, ethics, and disciplinary attorneys for help with your matter today.

Top Questions About Ethics & Judicial Conduct Defense

Will the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys / Commission on Judicial Conduct assume I am guilty if I hire an attorney?

Getting professional representation for your discipline case is not a sign of guilt. It is a sign that you value the legal profession and your role in it. When you are facing significant consequences to your license, your career, or your life, calling in reinforcements makes sense.

What does a professional responsibility, ethics, and disciplinary attorney do?

JHC’s professional responsibility, ethics, and disciplinary attorneys assist private practitioners, government attorneys, and judges and judicial candidates with:

• Disciplinary Defense: We represent lawyers, judges, and judicial candidates during ethics/misconduct investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
• Civil Litigation: We represent lawyers in litigation matters involving questions of disqualification, conflicts of interest, contempt, discovery disputes, and compliance with confidentiality rules when in receipt of a subpoena to testify or produce documents.

Do I need to hire a professional responsibility, ethics, and disciplinary attorney?

That depends on the issue(s) at hand, the nature and seriousness of the allegations and/or circumstances, and your personal comfort level when it comes to addressing the issue(s) alone. If you are facing allegations of misconduct or violation of an ethics rule, you should seriously consider hiring counsel when:

• the complaint was submitted by a fellow attorney or a judge
• you have a history of prior misconduct or ethical violations
• more than one complaint has been submitted raising similar issues or allegations
• there is an allegation of mishandling client funds
• there is an allegation of sexual harassment/misconduct or criminal conduct

Are disciplinary hearings public?

Yes. The formal hearing is open to the public—whether it is an attorney discipline hearing or a judicial discipline hearing. In addition, all proceedings before the Kansas Supreme Court are public.

Can a Kansas attorney alleged to have violated the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct get a diversion?

Sometimes. An attorney diversion program does exist in Kansas, but it is not available to everyone and not available in all situations. Participation in the Kansas attorney diversion program requires that whatever caused the violation can be cured with treatment or education. An attorney who receives a diversion must stipulate that he or she violated a rule of professional conduct. Diversion is prohibited in cases involving self-dealing, dishonesty, or a breach of a fiduciary duty. If you have a disciplinary record, you will probably be disqualified from participating in a diversion program.