KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION V. STEPHEN RICE TURNBULL
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
TO BE PUBLISHED
2001 -SC-0909-KB
KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION
V.
IN SUPREME COURT
STEPHEN RICE TURNBULL
RESPONDENT
OPINION AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION
The Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association has recommended to
this Court that Stephen Rice Turnbull (KBA No. 84133) whose last known address was
3450 Milam, Lexington, Kentucky be suspended from the practice of law in Kentucky for
a period of five years. Turnbull was found guilty of two separate charges of
professional misconduct by the KBA Board of Governors.
In KBA File 8406, Turnbull is charged with four counts of professional
misconduct. Count I alleges a violation of SCR 3.130-l .3 for failing to act with
reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client. Count II alleges a
violation of SCR 3.130-I .4(a) for failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the
status of a matter and promptly complying with reasonable requests for information.
Count III alleges a violation of SCR 3.130-l .16(d) for failing to return an unearned fee to
the client after failing to take action on behalf of the client so as to earn any fee. Count
IV alleges a violation of SCR 3.130-8.1(b) when Turnbull failed to respond to a lawful
demand for information from an admissions or disciplinary authority.
In KBA File No. 8464, Turnbull was charged with two counts of professional
misconduct. Count I alleges a violation of SCR 3.130-I .15(b) for failing to promptly
deliver to a client or a third person any funds or other property that the client or third
person was entitled to receive. Count II alleges a violation of SCR 3.130-8.3(c) when
Turnbull told his client he was placing settlement money in an escrow account for
distribution to him but failed to do so.
The charges against Turnbull arose from verified complaints filed by two
dissatisfied clients. Turnbull did not respond to service of either charge.
The Board of Governors determined that Turnbull was guilty of professional
misconduct in both proceedings and recommended a five-year suspension. Turnbull,
who was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky in 1991, has been the subject of
earlier discipline, including a private admonition on November 12, 1999, and was
previously suspended from the practice of law for 30 days by order of this Court on
November 22,200O.
He was further suspended for noncompliance with continuing
legal education requirements on January 2, 2001. He has not been reinstated.
Therefore, upon consideration of the record and recommendation of the Board of
Governors, this Court does ORDER that Stephen Rice Turnbull be and is hereby
suspended from the practice of law in Kentucky for a period of five years. He shall not
engage in the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky unless and until he is
-2-
reinstated by order of this Court. The period of suspension shall begin on the date of
the entry of this order.
Turnbull may seek reinstatement at the expiration of his suspension under the
provisions of SCR 3.510, regarding reinstatement in a case of a disciplinary
suspension, or any successor or amendment to that Rule in effect at the time of his
application for reinstatement.
Pursuant to SCR 3.390, Turnbull shall, within ten days of the entry of this order,
notify all clients of his inability to represent them and furnish copies of said letters of
notice to the Director of the Kentucky Bar Association. He shall also provide such
notification to all courts in which he has matters pending,
Pursuant to SCR 3.450, Turnbull is required to pay all costs associated with
these disciplinary proceedings in the amount of $73.70 for No. 8406 and $87.70 for No.
8464, for all of which execution may issue from this Court upon the finality of this
Opinion and Order.
All concur.
ENTERED: February 21,2002
-3-
COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:
Bruce K. Davis, Executive Director
Kentucky Bar Association
Jay R. Garrett
Kentucky Bar Association
514 West Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT:
Stephen R. Turnbull
3450 Milam
Lexington, KY 40502
-4-
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.