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.

Reinstatement

Marion County attorney Trezanay M. Atkins was conditionally reinstated to the practice of law per an April 7 order. Atkins, who was suspended for at least two years without automatic reinstatement effective Nov. 3, 2014, must fulfill the terms of conditional reinstatement per the order for a period of three years.

Resignation

Howard County attorney Richard L. Russell resigned from the practice of law per an April 7 order accepting his resignation and concluding a disciplinary proceeding against him. Per Admission and Discipline Rule 23(17), Russell’s order required an acknowledgement of a pending investigation or proceeding involving allegations of misconduct and that he could not successfully defend himself if prosecuted.

Stayed Suspension

Hamilton County attorney Cody P. Cogswell was suspended for 60 days, stayed subject to completion of at least 12 months of probation, for ethical violations related to two clients. Per an April 7 order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline, Cogswell failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter; failed to promptly comply with a client’s reasonable requests for information; failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit a client to make informed decisions; knowingly disobeyed an obligation under rules of a tribunal; and failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the conduct of a nonlawyer employee over whom he had direct supervisory authority is compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against Cogswell.

Suspension

Marion County attorney Iurie Cuciuc was suspended for at least 180 days without automatic reinstatement per an April 7 order. Cuciuc, who was under a prior order for failing to fulfill continuing legal education requirements, violated Professional Conduct Rule 8.1(b) by failing to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in a bar admission matter. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Cuciuc.•