Disciplinary Actions

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

Fayette County attorney Nicole D. Fraley was disbarred per a Jan. 21 order for severely mismanaging her trust account and by engaging in a pattern of dishonest and fraudulent behavior. Story here.

Reprimands

Grant County attorney Bruce N. Elliott was issued a public reprimand per a Jan. 23 order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline. Elliott was found to have failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of his client in a divorce case. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Grant County attorney Kimberly S. Lytle was issued a public reprimand per a Dec. 5 order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline. Lytle, while representing a client in a divorce case, was found to have failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to comply promptly with a client’s reasonable requests for information; and failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit a client to make informed decisions. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against her.

Resignation

Allen County attorney Randall B. Stiles resigned from the bar in a Dec. 19 order in which he acknowledged a pending investigation into a disciplinary proceeding in which he could not successfully defend himself if prosecuted. Stiles served a term in federal prison after he was convicted of two counts of bankruptcy fraud related to his representation of a client. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against Stiles.

Suspensions

Former Knox County chief deputy prosecutor Joseph W. Burton was suspended for 90 days with automatic reinstatement per a Jan. 29 order. Story here.

Shelby County attorney James Lisher was suspended for 60 days with automatic reinstatement for his failure to supervise a secretary who stole significant amounts of money from clients and subsequently pleaded guilty to Level 5 felony theft. The discipline was imposed per a Jan. 23 order approving statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Lisher. Story here.•