Disciplinary Actions – 5/12
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.
Discipline
Articles
Judge G. Michael Witte named new discipline executive
If Judge G. Michael Witte hadn’t tried for the appellate bench about two years ago, he might not be in the position now
to be Indiana’s newest chief of lawyer ethics.
Supreme Court disbars attorney
The Indiana Supreme Court disbarred a northern Indiana attorney April 1 for violating the terms of a previous suspension,
entering into an improper business transaction with a client, and engaging in dishonest conduct.
Court issues UPL ruling about ‘general counsel’
A top executive of Celadon Group Inc. can no longer represent himself as the Indianapolis-based trucking company’s attorney
because of a glaring omission – he is not licensed to practice law in Indiana.
Judge resigns, Surpreme Court bans from bench
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted the resignation of a suspended city court judge accused of theft. The judge is also
permanently banned from judicial office.
New judge gets 60-day unpaid suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended LaPorte Superior Judge Jennifer L. Koethe for 60 days without pay, effective March
12.
Prosecutor denies alleged misconduct
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi denies that he violated any professional conduct rules in his handling of two high-profile murder cases, specifically in his written or spoken statements made when describing the crimes to the public.
Prosecutor files answer to disciplinary charges
Delaware County Prosecutor Mark McKinney has responded to the disciplinary charges he faces in connection to his role as a
private attorney on civil forfeiture matters related to the criminal defendants he handled as a deputy prosecutor and prosecutor
on behalf of the state, saying his representation of the state wasn’t limited by his financial interest in forfeiture actions.
Masters appointed in cases of 2 judges
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed masters to the disciplinary cases of Bicknell City Court Judge David A. Moreland and LaPorte Superior Judge Jennifer Evans Koethe.
Prosecutor denies misconduct accusations
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi denies that he violated any professional conduct rules in his handling of two high-profile murder cases, specifically in his written or spoken statements made when describing the crimes to the public.
Commission starts review process for new disciplinary chief
More than 20 people have applied for the top executive post of the Disciplinary Commission, and the commission now may allow others to apply while it begins a review process expected to take at least two months.
Madison County judge resigns amid misconduct investigation
A longtime Madison County judge who’s been repeatedly sanctioned and even suspended in the past is resigning amid a new investigation
into his alleged misconduct during a 2007 murder trial.
Disciplinary Commission seeks agency head
Indiana needs a new face for lawyer discipline, and applications are being accepted from anyone interested in the job.
Court reprimands attorneys for trade-name use
Three attorneys who practiced separately but advertised as an LLC were publicly reprimand by the Indiana Supreme Court for violating several Indiana Professional Conduct Rules by not letting clients know they didn't practice law as a firm.
City court judge accused of theft, suspended
A Knox County City Court judge was suspended today following the filing of five theft charges against the judge Tuesday.
Allen Circuit judge faces misconduct charges
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed misconduct charges today against Allen Circuit Judge Thomas Felts, who pleaded guilty last year to drunk driving.
Indicted judge to be suspended
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed a notice with the Indiana Supreme Court for a request of suspension of LaPorte Superior Judge Jennifer Koethe, who was indicted Thursday for attempted obstruction of justice stemming from a shooting incident at her home in December.
Justices reprimand Allen Circuit judge
The Indiana Supreme Court today publicly reprimanded Allen Circuit Judge Thomas Felts, who last summer was arrested for and later pleaded guilty to drunk driving.
Town court judge publicly admonished
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications issued a public admonition of the Walkerton Town Court judge today for employing his wife as court clerk for more than 10 years and for participating in an ex parte conversation with a defendant about her traffic infractions.
2 attorneys suspended over real estate deal
Two attorneys have been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court for their representation of a client in a real estate contract in which one of the attorneys had a financial interest.