KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION V. RONDA MARIE HARTLAGE
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TO BE PUBLISHED
KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION
V.
IN SUPREME COURT
RONDA MARIE HARTLAGE
RESPONDENT
OPINION AND ORDER
Respondent, Ronda Marie Hartlage, of Louisville, Kentucky, was admitted to the
practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on October 22, 1985. The instant
action consolidates for our consideration two (2) separate complaints against
Respondent - KBA Files 7714 and 7758. In each case, Respondent represented
separate plaintiffs in medical malpractice actions which were dismissed for failure to
prosecute. The complaints alleged that Respondent failed to notify the clients when the
actions were dismissed and that Respondent failed to return phone calls from her
clients before and after the actions were dismissed.
On the basis of these complaints, the Inquiry Commission charged Respondent
with two (2) violations of SCR 3.130-I .3, which requires attorneys to “act with
reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client,“’ and two (2) violations of
SCR 3.130-I .4(a), which requires attorneys to keep their clients “reasonably informed
‘SCR 3.130-1.3.
about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for
information.“2
Respondent, through counsel, filed a Response to both charges admitting the
factual allegations in the complaints, explaining that she suffered from a combination of
serious illnesses including epilepsy, hypoglycemia, chronic anemia, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, and profound depression, and alleging that she had not violated
the Rules of Professional Conduct.
By Agreed Order dated May 15,2000, the parties agreed to proceed under SCR
3.210. The Inquiry Commission consolidated the two (2) charges and, in accordance
with SCR 3.210, the case was submitted directly to the Board of Governors. The
simultaneous briefs were due February 26, 2001, and on that date, Respondent’s
counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw and to allow Respondent an extension of time to file
a brief. By Order entered March 1, 2001, the Motion to Withdraw was granted but the
Motion to Extend the time for Filing a Brief was denied. By Order entered March 19,
2001, the portion of the previous Order denying the extension of time was vacated and
the Respondent was given through and including April 20, 2001 to file her brief.
Respondent filed no brief.
The Board of Governors concluded that Respondent’s medical condition did not
excuse Respondent from complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct,
unanimously found Respondent guilty of all four (4) charges, and voted to suspend
Respondent from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year.
‘SCR 3.130-l .4(a).
3
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Respondent sought, and this Court granted, an extension of time in which to file
a notice of review pursuant to SCR 3.370(g), but Respondent never filed such a
request. Accordingly, pursuant to SCR 3.370(10), this Court adopts the
recommendation of the Board of Governors.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
(1) Respondent, Ronda Marie Hartlage, is hereby suspended from the practice of
law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a period of one (1) year. The period of
suspension shall commence on the date of entry of this order.
(2) In accordance with SCR 3.450 and SCR 3.480(3), Respondent is ordered to
pay all costs associated with these disciplinary proceedings against her, said sum being
two hundred forty six dollars and seven cents ($246.07),
and for which execution may
issue from this Court upon finality of this Opinion and Order.
(3) Pursuant to SCR 3.390, Respondent shall, within ten (IO) days from the entry
of this Opinion and Order, notify in writing all clients and all courts in which she may
have matters pending of her inability to provide further legal services, and furnish the
Director of the Kentucky Bar Association with a copy of all such letters.
All concur.
Entered: January 17, 2002.
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