DAVID MOORE COORSSEN V. KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION
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TO BE PUBLISHED
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2009-SC-000307-KB
DAVID MOORE COORSSEN
V.
DATE
-3130 -
&&
MOVANT
IN SUPREME COURT
KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION
RESPONDENT
OPINION AND ORDER
Applicant, David Moore Coorssen, KBA Member No. 84859, bar roster
address 3807 Warner Ave., Louisville, Kentucky 40207, was admitted to the
Kentucky Bar on October 18, 1993 . On February 14, 2007, he was suspended
from the practice of law for failing to meet his annual CLE requirement. On
October 23, 2008, he was suspended upon his own motion, without KBA
objection, for one year, with 181 days to be served and the remainder probated
for two years on the condition that he refrain from alcohol and drug use, that
he continue to participate in the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (KYLAP)
under his June 1, 2008 monitoring agreement, and that he attend the Ethics
and Professionalism Enhancement Program offered by the KBA Office of Bar
Counsel. See Coorssen v. Kentucky Bar Assn, 266 S .W.3d 237 (Ky. 2008) .
This disciplinary suspension was based on two Inquiry Commission charges,
KBA files no. 14709 and 15693 .
Mr. Coorssen applied for reinstatement on May 20, 2009 under SCR
3 .510. He has met all of the conditions imposed by this Court's previous
decision . He has become CLE compliant and has paid his bar dues for the
three years since he was first suspended. He attended and passed the Ethics
and Professionalism Enhancement Program . He is compliant with his KYLAP
supervision agreement . Because of the length of his suspension, under SCR
3.510(3), Mr. Coorssen was required to proceed before the Character and
Fitness Committee for a review. The Committee held a hearing on September
30, 2009 and recommended that Mr. Coorssen be readmitted to the practice of
law in that he possessed the required character, fitness, and moral
qualifications for readmission, conditioned on his continuing participation in
KYLAP for five years .
Bar Counsel has no objection to Mr. Coorssen's reinstatement . The
Board of Governors has considered the entire record, including the matter
leading up to Mr. Coorssen's suspension from the practice of law and
subsequent events, the findings and recommendation of the Character and
Fitness Committee, and the position of Bar Counsel . The Board determined
that Coorssen met all the standards for reinstatement to the practice of law
contained in SCR 3 .510 and SCR 2 .300 and that he had completed all
administrative steps necessary to be considered for reinstatement, as well as
restoration following his CLE suspension as set forth in SCR 3.500. The Board
also determined that Mr. Coorssen's conduct since his suspension has
demonstrated the appropriate degree of rehabilitation necessary to support his
reinstatement and that he has accepted full responsibility for his actions that
led to his suspension. Thus, by a 17 to 0 vote (with one recusal), the Board
recommended that this Court reinstate Mr. Coorssen to the practice of law,
with the condition than he continue to participate in KYLAP for five years.
This Court, finding no reason to disagree with the Board, adopts its
recommendation, and therefore ORDERS :
1 . That David Moore Coorssen be reinstated to the practice of law in the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, conditioned on his continued participation in
KYLAP for a period of five years to commence upon entry of this order.
2 . That Mr . Coorssen pay the costs of this proceeding as certified by the
Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Association, and which total $1,311 .02,
as required by SCR 3 .510(1) . Such costs are payable from the bond posted by
Mr. Coorssen as required by SCR 3 .510(1), with additional costs, if any, due
from Mr. Coorssen .
All sitting. All concur.
ENTERED : March 18, 2010 .
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