Kentucky Bar Association, Movant v. Nancy Oliver Roberts

Summary

The Court independently reviewed the disciplinary record and found Roberts guilty of conflicts of interest in her joint representation of the executor and heirs and of failing to timely provide Manning's file to successor counsel. It dismissed the remaining charges, including those alleging a contingent criminal-defense fee, an associated conflict in Manning's criminal case, incompetence, failure to expedite the estate, and improper disclosure of a disciplinary complaint. The Court imposed a sixty-one-day suspension, compliance obligations concerning clients and pending matters, and one-half of the court costs. Noble, J., joined by Abramson, J., concurred in part and dissented in part, concluding that the fee arrangement created equivalent conflicts and that Roberts was also incompetent in advising Manning about the plea offer, warranting a 120-day suspension.