Disciplinary Actions – 4/13/12

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brings charges against attorneys who have violated the state’s rules for admission to the bar and Rules of Professional Conduct. The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications brings charges against judges, judicial officers, or judicial candidates for misconduct. Details of attorneys’ and judges’ actions for which they are being disciplined by the Supreme Court will be included unless they are not a matter of public record under the court’s rules.

Suspension
Anthony T. Adolf, of Allen County, has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court for 180 days, per a March 22, 2012, order. The disciplinary action involves four counts, two dealing with an agreement Adolf had with another attorney to file bankruptcy petitions on behalf of the other attorney’s clients because the other attorney lacked court authorization. Adolf later would substitute the other attorney as counsel for the clients. The third count involves misrepresentations Adolf made to another attorney in a settlement agreement; the final count involves Adolf’s representation of a husband in a divorce proceeding while also representing the husband and wife in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition.

The justices found he violated nine Rules of Professional Conduct, including knowingly making a false statement of fact to a tribunal and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. The suspension begins May 4 and the costs of the proceeding are assessed against Adolf.•