Disciplinary Actions – 2/24/16

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.

SUSPENSIONJames A. Hanson, of Allen County, has been suspended for 30 days for sending a threatening and obscene private social media message to a client’s ex-husband. Hanson and the Disciplinary Commission reached a conditional agreement for discipline, which the Indiana Supreme Court accepted. The suspension begins March 24. Hanson will be automatically reinstated, subject to the conditions of Admission and Discipline Rule 23(4)(c).

David A. Layson, of Harrison County, has been suspended for 60 days for failing to respond in a timely manner to an information request in a grievance investigation by the Disciplinary Commission. Layson and the commission reached a conditional agreement for discipline, which the Indiana Supreme Court accepted. The suspension begins March 24, and Layson will be automatically reinstated, subject to the conditions of Admission and Discipline Rule 23(4)(c). The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

RESIGNATION
Jeffrey G. Scalf, of Morgan County, resigned from the bar effective Feb. 15. As a result, any disciplinary proceedings pending against him were dismissed as moot. He must wait five years before being eligible to petition for reinstatement. The disciplinary action notes that his resignation does not relieve Scalf from any liability he might have for misconduct under civil or criminal law. The costs of this proceeding are assessed against him.