Appellate Decisions
| Jurisdiction | Kansas,United States |
| Citation | Vol. 88 No. 7 Pg. 54 |
| Pages | 54 |
| Publication year | 2019 |
July, 2019
Kansas State Supreme Court
Attorney Discipline
ORDER OF SUSPENSION
IN RE GREGORY V. BLUME
NO. 119,027—JUNE 28, 2019
FACTS: A hearing panel determined that Blume violated KRPC 3.1 (meritorious claims and contentions); 3.3(a)(1) (candor toward tribunal); 3.4(d) (compliance with discovery request); 4.4(a) (respect for rights of third persons); 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation); and 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). One incident involved an allegedly inadequate response to a discovery request, two involved rude words and gestures directed at a deposition witness, and one arose out of a motion to set aside an earlier agreed judgment. Blume's actions regarding discovery resulted in the dismissal of his client's case, after the district court found that Blume's conduct was calculated and intentional.
HEARING PANEL: The hearing panel found adequate evidence to support all of the complaints levied against Blume. When considering aggravating factors, the panel noted that Blume's conduct was motivated by dishonesty and was part of a pattern of failing to show respect for other people. The disciplinary administrator recommended a one-year suspension. Blume asked for a one-year suspension but asked that it be suspended while he served a probationary term. However, the panel found that Blume's probation plan was wholly inadequate and that his misconduct could not be corrected by probation. The hearing panel agreed with the disciplinary administrator and recommended discipline of a one-year suspension.
HELD: Blume filed numerous exceptions to the hearing panel's report. Most of the exceptions were not supported by evidence that was considered by the hearing panel. At the hearing before the court, Blume explained that he planned to retire within six months. He asked that discipline be limited to a requirement that he apologize to the deposition witness. The court found Blume's objections to the findings of fact incoherent and inconsistent, and all of the hearing panel's findings of fact and conclusions of law were adopted. The court found that Blume failed to understand the nature of his mistakes and did not acknowledge the seriousness of his misconduct. Because of the serious nature of his misconduct and his failure to take responsibility, the court determined that a severe sanction was warranted. It imposed an indefinite suspension from the practice of law.
INDEFINITE SUSPENSION
IN RE THOMAS CALEB BOONE
NO. 120,744—JUNE 7, 2019
FACTS: A hearing panel determined that Boone violated KRPC 1.1 (competence); 1.3 (diligence); 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation); and 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). Boone also stipulated to a violation of 3.4(d) (failure to comply with a discovery request). The allegations arose after Boone twice failed to prosecute a civil action, missing multiple deadlines and failing to comply with district court orders. Boone appealed the dismissal of one action but the court of appeals affirmed the district court, finding that Boone's appellate brief failed to comply with court rules.
HEARING PANEL: The hearing panel found evidence to support the allegations made in the complaint. When considering discipline, the panel noted Boone's prior history of discipline, the pattern of misconduct, and the number of rule violations. In mitigation, the panel acknowledged the illness and death of Boone's father and Boone's genuine remorse for his actions. The disciplinary administrator recommended that Boone's license be indefinitely suspended. Boone asked that he be placed on probation, but because some of his conduct involved dishonesty, the panel determined that probation was not appropriate. The hearing panel agreed with the disciplinary administrator that indefinite suspension was the appropriate discipline.
HELD: There were no exceptions filed to the hearing panel's report, so it was deemed admitted. The court denied Boone's request for probation, finding that the misconduct was not amenable to probation. The court adopted the recommendation of the hearing panel and ordered that Boone's license be indefinitely suspended.
ORDER OF DISBARMENT
IN RE MATTHEW EDGAR HULT
NO. 24,854—JUNE 6, 2019
FACTS: Hult's law license was indefinitely suspended in February 2018. Since that time, four additional complaints have been filed alleging additional violations of the KRPC. In a letter, Hult voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Kansas.
HELD: The court accepts the surrender of Hult's license, and he is disbarred.
ORDER OF DISBARMENT
IN THE MATTER OF PAMELA J. THOMPSON
NO. 120,818—MAY 31, 2019
FACTS: A hearing panel found that Thompson violated KRPC 1.15 (safekeeping property); 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation); 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). The allegations arose after Thompson hired Qualified Plan Solutions to provide administrative services for 401(k) retirement accounts for Thompson and her employees. Thompson was the plan's administrator and trustee. Beginning in January 2016, Thompson withheld funds from her paychecks and her employees' paychecks. But except on one occasion, she did not deposit the funds as required by the plan. It was not until February 2017 that Thompson's employees noticed that their 401(k) accounts were under funded. Thompson worked with QPS to get the accounts current, including both salary deferrals and earned interest. It was alleged that Thompson got the money to make these deposits by converting money from estate cases without being given approval by the court.
HEARING PANEL: Thompson stipulated to the violations. The hearing panel noted several aggravating factors, including a dishonest or selfish motive and a pattern of misconduct. The misconduct was somewhat mitigated by Thompson's personal and emotional problems, but the panel did not believe that Thompson's stress and anxiety excused the misconduct. The disciplinary administrator recommended that Thompson be disbarred. Thompson asked that discipline be limited to a one-year suspension. A majority of the hearing panel recommended that Thompson be indefinitely suspended.
HELD: Thompson did not file exceptions to the report and the findings were deemed admitted. After considering the facts, the court agreed with the disciplinary administrator and ordered disbarment. The court found that Thompson's misconduct was too serious to justify a lesser sanction.
CIVIL
CITY ORDINANCE—HOME RULE
DWAGFYS MANUFACTURING, INC. V. CITY OF TOPEKA
SHAWNEE DISTRICT COURT—REVERSED
NO. 119,269—JUNE 28, 2019
FACTS: The City of Topeka passed Ordinance 20099, which made it unlawful to sell cigarettes to persons under age 21, and persons under age 21 were forbidden to buy tobacco. Prior to the ordinance taking effect, a store sued the City of Topeka seeking to prevent enforcement of the ordinance as unconstitutional under the Kansas Constitution. The district court agreed, finding conflicts between the ordinance and state law. The district court both temporarily and permanently enjoined enforcement of the ordinance. The City appealed, and the case was transferred to the Supreme Court.
ISSUE: (1) Statutory preemption
HELD: There is overlap between the ordinance and state statute regarding the subject matter, and the state statute is a uniform law applicable to all cities. But the Kansas Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act does not contain an express statement of preemption, and the act's "comprehensive scheme" of regulation is inadequate to show an intent to preempt city action. There is also no conflict between the language of the act and the ordinance. The act does not expressly authorize the sale or purchase of tobacco products to those ages 18-20. The ordinance is a constitutional exercise of the city's home rule power, and the district court is reversed.
STATUTE: Kansas Constitution, Article 12, §5(b), §5(d)
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES—DAMAGES
HILBURN V. ENERPIPE LTD.
SEDGWICK DISTRICT COURT— DISTRICT COURT—REVERSED AND REMANDED
COURT OF APPEALS—REVERSED
NO. 112,765—JUNE 14, 2019
FACTS: Hilburn was injured when her car was rear-ended by a semi owned by Enerpipe Ltd. Hilburn sued, claiming that the driver's negligence caused the accident, and that Enerpipe was vicariously liable for the driver's actions. Enerpipe admitted to both of these facts, and a trial was held only on the issue of damages. A jury awarded Hilburn $335,000 which included $33,490.86 for medical expenses and $301,509.14 for noneconomic losses. Defense counsel prepared a verdict form with a total award of $283,490.86 which represented the jury's total award with the amount adjusted to reflect the $250,000 cap of K.S.A. 60-19a02(d). Hilburn objected, claiming the statutory cap was unconstitutional under sections 1, 5, and 18 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights. The district court affirmed the lesser award and Hilburn appealed. The court of appeals affirmed, believed itself to be bound by prior Supreme Court decisions. Hilburn's petition for review was granted.
ISSUES: (1) Issue preservation; (2) quid pro quo test for section 5 claims; (3) facts versus policy
HELD: The version of Supreme Court rule 8.03 in effect at the time Hilburn filed her petition for review allows the court to address a plain error not presented. The issue of whether the quid pro quo test applies to Hilburn's section 5 claim was properly preserved under the old rule because Hilburn preserved it in the district court and it was addressed by...
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