Opinion
No. 2000-SC-0758-KB.
December 21, 2000.
ORDER OF TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
Pursuant to SCR3.165, the Inquiry Commission petitions this Court to enter an order temporarily suspending the respondent from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Inquiry Commission alleges probable cause exists to believe that the respondent, Robert L. Templeton, whose bar roster address is in Ashland, Kentucky and who was admitted to the practice of law in this Commonwealth on April 1, 1975, has misappropriated client funds for his own use or has otherwise improperly dealt with client funds.
On September 5, 2000, after receipt of the Inquiry Commission's Petition for Temporary Suspension, this Court entered an Order directing Templeton:
. . . to file with the Clerk of this Court within twenty (20) days from the date of this order, his Response to the Petition of the Inquiry Commission filed in this Court, and to show cause, why he should not be temporarily suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
On September 7, 2000, the order from this Court was delivered to Templeton's bar roster address by registered mail, and Templeton himself signed the return receipt. Templeton has not, however, filed any response in this Court to either the Petition for Temporary Suspension or the Order to Show Cause.
After a review of the Inquiry Commission's Petition for Temporary Suspension and the supporting notarized bar complaints, this Court finds probable cause to believe that Templeton "is or has been misappropriating funds the attorney holds for others to his/her own use or has been otherwise improperly dealing with said funds." SCR3.165(1)(a).
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT:
1. Robert L. Templeton is temporarily suspended from the practice of law in this Commonwealth effective this date and until superseded by subsequent order.
2. Disciplinary proceedings against Templeton shall be initiated by the Inquiry Commission pursuant to SCR3.160, unless already begun or unless Templeton resigns under terms of disbarment.
3. Pursuant to SCR3.165(5), Templeton shall, within twenty (20) days of the date of entry of this order, notify all clients in writing of his inability to continue to represent them and shall furnish copies of such letters of notice to the Director of the Kentucky Bar Association.
4. Pursuant to SCR3.165(6), Templeton shall immediately, to the extent reasonably possible, cancel and cease any advertising activities in which he is engaged.
All concur.