Advertising by attorneys in Kentucky is regulated by Supreme Court Rules [SCR 3.130 (7.01 - 7.60)]. and is subject to the Attorneys' Advertising Commission Regulations (AAC). Advertisements for which an advisory opinion is sought must be submitted to the Attorneys' Advertising Commission unless they fall under the exceptions found in SCR 3.130 (7.01(1)(a-c)).
The American legal system and the attorney-client relationship are founded on trust. Although few attorneys ever betray that trust, when a breach does occur, damage to individuals and the entire system may result. The lawyers of Kentucky and the Kentucky Supreme Court recognize actions must be taken to prevent unethical conduct and restore confidence and trust should misconduct occur. To that end, the Kentucky Supreme Court has created The Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct for all lawyers who practice law in the state.
The Supreme Court Rules provide two processes for settling disputes among attorneys and clients. Descriptions of those processes and information about submitting a dispute, along with relevant links are provided below. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Bar Counsel at (502) 564-3795 ext. 723.
The Kentucky Supreme Court (SCR 3.820) established a Client's Security Fund (CSF) "to promote public confidence in the administration of justice and the integrity of the legal profession” by providing some measure of restitution to clients who have lost money because of the dishonest, fraudulent acts, or other unethical conduct of a member of the KBA.
The following questions serve as guidance for a clients/former clients in the event of a closing of their former attorney’s office either through death, disbarment, abandonment, or disability. This information has been prepared by the Closed and Abandoned Practices Taskforce.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides three processes for settling disputes among attorneys and clients. A description of each of those processes and information about submitting a dispute along with relevant links are provided below. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Bar Counsel at (502) 564-3795 ext. 723.
A complaint must be a sworn written statement, and
-Cannot be submitted by telephone, email, or fax; -Can be hand written or typed; -Must include the name of the attorney you are filing against; -Must contain your name, address, and contact information; -Must include a notarized signature (copies of your signature will not be accepted).
You may use the search fields to search the membership database for former members who are currently suspended or disbarred from the practice of law in Kentucky and have not been reinstated to the practice of law by the Kentucky Supreme Court. This database does not include the names of members who were suspended but have been reinstated to practice.
Any person who practices law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky without authorization from the Kentucky Supreme Court may be subject to an injunction or a finding of contempt by the Kentucky Supreme Court. Under SCR 3.460 the Kentucky Bar Association is authorized to initiate an investigation into any report of unauthorized practice of law.
View information regarding Ethics Opinons, Hotline, Rules of Professional Conduct, and Code of Professional Courtesy.