Opinion
Case No. 98S00-0201-DI-87
Filed May 23, 2002
ORDER IMPOSING RECIPROCAL DISCPLINE AND SUSPENDING RESPONDENT
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has petitioned this Court for imposition of identical reciprocal discipline on the respondent, David Paul Chinn, pursuant to md. Admission and Discipline Rule 23 (28).
We find that the respondent was admitted to practice law in Indiana in 1985 and in Kentucky on an unspecified date. The respondent was suspended from the practice of law in Indiana on May 20, 1998, for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. The Supreme Court of Kentucky on January 17, 2002, suspended the respondent from the practice of law in that state for 30 days, with automatic reinstatement, for professional misconduct. That Court found the respondent neglected a client's bankruptcy case, resulting in its dismissal and the ability of the client's creditors to seek judgments against him for the debts previously listed in the bankruptcy petition; that he failed to communicate with his client; and that he failed to return the client's file and unearned fees. The respondent remains under suspension in Kentucky because an objection to his automatic reinstatement was filed in light of additional disciplinary charges.
The Commission filed its Verified Notice of Foreign Discipline and Petition for Issuance of an Order to Show Cause on January 29, 2002. In response, this Court issued an order on January 31, 2002, for the respondent to show cause as to why reciprocal discipline should not be entered in Indiana. The respondent did not respond. The Commission's request for reciprocal discipline is now before this Court for final resolution.
We now find that identical reciprocal discipline should be imposed in this state.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that the respondent, David Paul Chinn, be suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for a period of thirty (30) days, effective immediately, with automatic reinstatement stayed so long as his readmission in Kentucky is stayed. Nothing in this order shall be construed as relieving the respondent of his obligation to become CLE compliant prior to full readmission to practice in this state.
The Clerk of this Court is directed to provide notice of this order in accordance with Admis.Disc.R. 23(3)(d) and to provide the Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Clerk of each of the United States District Courts in this state, and the Clerk of each of the United States Bankruptcy Courts in this state with the last known address of the respondent as reflected in the records of the Clerk.
Randall T. Shepard Chief Justice of Indiana
All Justices concur.