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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Muncie attorney who was suspended for at least three years without reinstatement for numerous professional misconduct violations has been granted his petition to practice law again, but with conditions.
Louis W. Denney of Delaware County was suspended from the practice of law in Indiana in 2013 by the Indiana Supreme Court for violating nine Indiana Professional Conduct Rules. The suspension, which went into effect in April 2013, stemmed from Denney’s misconduct between 2003 and 2010, including neglecting client cases, charging unreasonable fees, failing to return unearned fees and disobeying court orders.
At the time of his suspension, Supreme Court justices concluded Denney had engaged in a pattern of misconduct over a period of years, obstructed the disciplinary proceedings by intentionally failing to cooperate with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s investigation, and showed little remorse. Justice Steven David would have disbarred Denney, while former Justice Robert Rucker would have imposed a one-year suspension without automatic reinstatement.
In a Friday order, the high court unanimously accepted a hearing officer’s recommendation that Denney be reinstated to the Indiana bar conditional upon the payment of restitution he owes to one of his aggrieved clients.
“Accordingly, (Denney) shall be conditionally reinstated as a member of the bar of this State and placed on probation for a period of one year. During this time (Denney) shall make restitution in the amount of $3,500 to the client aggrieved in Count 2 of this matter and then shall provide the Commission with a verified accounting and report of same,” Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote in the order.
At the end of the probationary period, Denney can submit a petition for release from probation so long as he has fully complied with the terms of his probation. Denney shall pay any costs owed under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(21)(b).
Denney was admitted to practice in 1978 and has been disciplined four times total, according to the Indiana Roll of Attorneys. His case is In the Matter of: Louis W. Denney, 18S00-1104-DI-193.
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