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An Indianapolis attorney has once again been the subject of a disciplinary order issued by the Indiana Supreme Court and is facing a suspension for professional misconduct.
According to an order filed July 13 by the court, Aftin R. Brown has been suspended for two months starting Aug. 28, with 30 days actually served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of at least a year of probation.
Brown has a solo law firm in Indianapolis focused on family and criminal law, litigation and collections and debtor’s rights.
The order issued Friday states Brown violated two Indiana Professional Conduct Rules and six Indiana Admission and Discipline Rules.
An investigation by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission was sparked by Brown overdrawing her attorney trust account in January 2022.
The investigation found Brown had mismanaged her trust account by failing to keep adequate records, commingling client and attorney funds, and making improper disbursements.
The commission found Brown withdrew earned fees from the trust account based solely on her estimates of the amount of work completed and not actual records.
During the investigation, Brown failed to respond timely or completely to the commission’s demands for information and the imposition of a noncooperation suspension.
Part of Brown’s probation includes having a trust account monitoring by a CPA who is acceptable to the commission and who will report quarterly to the commission. Brown will also execute and comply with an Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement.
If Brown violates her probation, the stay of her probation may be vacated, and the balance of the stayed suspension may be actively served without automatic reinstatement.
She will also have to report to the commission in writing within 14 days of any failure to comply with the terms of her probation.
Brown’s probation shall remain in effect until it is terminated pursuant to a petition to terminate probation is filed under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(16).
Brown has been ordered to pay $508.23 by check to the clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Loretta Rush issued the order, with all justices concurring.
Brown was suspended in June 2022 for noncompliance with a disciplinary investigation and was reinstated in July 2022.
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