Checkmate

The Kansas Supreme Court has imposed  disbarment of an attorney who, among other things, entered into a contingent fee agreement with a domestic relations client, engaged in a sexual relationship with a client, converted and commingled client property and other trust account violations, and provided a court with a false billing statement.

The attorney did not advance his position effectively in oral argument before the court:

At oral argument in this case, respondent demonstrated no real perception of the significance of his numerous violations of the rules of professional conduct. Nor did he fully accept responsibility for his violations, instead describing himself as “a white knight” who allowed himself to be led by his heart. Respondent’s inability to understand or take responsibility for the nature and breadth of his professional misconduct underscores the signidicance of the misconduct and engenders our decision that disbarment from practice is the appropriate sanction.

A minority of the court would impose an (unspecified) lesser sanction. (Mike Frisch)