Disciplinary Actions – 5/6/15

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.

Disbarment
R. Mark Keaton, of Allen County, has been disbarred by the Indiana Supreme Court for engaging in an extreme and pervasive pattern of conduct involving harassment and dishonesty. Read more here.

Suspension
Mitchell W. Hicks, of Allen County, has been suspended for 180 days, with all time actively served, for his convictions of Class A misdemeanors carrying a handgun without a license and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, his second offense of OWI. Hicks’ suspension begins June 4 and will be followed by two years of probation with JLAP monitoring. He shall be automatically reinstated as long as he complies with the terms of his probation.

David Layson, of Harrison County, was suspended April 23 for noncooperation with the Disciplinary Commission. The suspension remains in effect until he fully cooperates with the grievance investigation, the disciplinary proceedings are disposed of, or until further order of the Indiana Supreme Court. Layson is ordered to pay $519.44 for costs of prosecuting this proceeding.

Steven J. Ouellette, of Allen County, had his suspension for noncooperation with the Disciplinary Commission converted to an indefinite suspension by the Indiana Supreme Court on April 23. He must cure all the causes of all suspensions in effect and successfully petition the court for reinstatement.•