Kentucky Adopts ‘Lawyer Squeal Rule’
The Kentucky Supreme Court has adopted an ethics rule requiring lawyers to report misconduct by other lawyers and judges.
Kentucky was one of only four states without the so-called “squeal rule,” the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. It requires lawyers to report conduct that “raises a substantial question as to the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.”
The announcement comes just weeks after two former Lexington lawyers, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham, were convicted of wire fraud based on accusations they cheated clients out of millions of dollars in settlement funds.
The rule takes effect July 15, the story says, along with new rules that:
• Bar sex with clients.
• Require lawyers to tell judges about legal decisions that don’t support their legal arguments.
• Bar lawyers from reading documents sent to them by mistake.
• Prohibit lawyers from taking actions when the only purpose is to embarrass or burden a third party.
• Require lawyers to get written client consent before accepting a settlement offer and to inform clients of the settlement amount, the Herald-Leader reports.
• Allow lawyers to disclose confidential information that is “reasonably necessary to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.”
