Disciplinary Actions 06/24/20

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

Marion County attorney Steven T. Fulk was disbarred per a June 15 per curiam opinion.

Kosciusko County attorney Scott J. Lennox was disbarred per a May 6 per curiam opinion for 15 rules violations arising from his convictions after he pleaded guilty to multiple felony and fraud charges involving clients and a financial institution. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Lennox.

Probation/Stayed Suspension

Hamilton County attorney Patrick E. Chavis IV was suspended effective the date of a June 12 order for 90 days, stayed subject to completion of at least one year of JLAP monitoring. Chavis acknowledged in a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline that he failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness and charged or collected an unreasonable fee in his representation of two clients. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Chavis.

Marion County attorney Adam Lenkowsky was suspended for 30 days, stayed subject to completion of at least two years of probation effective as of a June 12 order. Lenkowsky committed a criminal act, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony entered as a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of Indiana Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(b). Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Lenkowsky.

Reinstatement

Allen County attorney Mark Randall Spencer was reinstated to the practice of law per a May 15 order, following his suspension of not less than six months without automatic reinstatement in 2008. Justices found Spencer fulfilled his high burden of proof for readmission to the bar.

Resignations

Jasper County attorney Robert V. Monfort resigned from the bar effective as of the court’s June 4 published order accepting his resignation. The resignation requires an acknowledgement of a pending investigation or proceeding and that Monfort could not successfully defend himself if prosecuted. Monfort was accused of defrauding two estates he represented. He faces civil lawsuits arising from those cases. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Marion County attorney Octavia Snulligan resigned from the bar effective as of the court’s June 4 published order accepting her resignation. The resignation requires an acknowledgement of a pending investigation or proceeding and that Snullligan could not successfully defend herself if prosecuted. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against Snulligan.

Suspensions/Terminated Suspensions

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill was suspended for 30 days with automatic reinstatement per a May 11 per curiam opinion, for violations of Indiana Professional Conduct Rules 8.4(b) and (d). The suspension for conduct arising from allegations of sexual misconduct was effective May 18-June 17. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Hill.

Allen County attorney Robert E. Love was suspended for noncooperation with a commission investigation of a grievance in a May 15 order. His suspension was lifted effective June 5, per a June 8 order.

Allen County attorney Cody R. Williams’ suspension for noncooperation with the disciplinary process of Oct. 3, 2019, was converted to an indefinite suspension per a May 15 order.•