TO BE PUBLISHED
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2008-SC-000929-KB
V. IN SUPREME COURT
WILLIAM A . NISBET, III RESPONDENT
OPINION AND ORDER
I. Introduction
The Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA)
recommends that Respondent, William A. Nisbet, III, KBA Member No . 51840,
be suspended for five (5) years from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of
Kentucky for violation of Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 3 .130-8 .3(b) . Nisbet, who
was licensed to practice law in 1971, maintains his Bar Roster Address at 10
North Main Street, P.O . Box 706, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 . Nisbet
elected not to respond to the Charge brought by the KBA, and the case was
presented to the Board of Governors as a, default case pursuant to SCR 3 .210 .
Having reviewed the findings of fact and conclusions of law submitted by the
KBA, this Court adopts the KBA's recommendation .
II. Background
In July of 2005, Nisbet was arrested by the Madisonville Police on
multiple charges for trafficking in cocaine and for participating in a criminal
syndicate . As a result of the investigation, a Hopkins County Grand Jury
returned a fourteen (14) count indictment against Nisbet. Thirteen (13) others
were also indicted as a result of the same investigation .
On October 2, 2006, Nisbet entered an Alford plea to the charges . As a
result of the plea bargain, Nisbet's eight (8) year sentence was probated for five
(5) years. On that date, Nisbet wrote Bar Counsel indicating his intent to end
his law practice. Subsequently, Nisbet provided Bar Counsel with copies of the
letters he sent his clients advising them he would no longer be practicing law.
On October 14, 2006, Nisbet was automatically suspended from the practice of
law pursuant to SCR 3 .166(l) .
In accordance with SCR 3 .166(6), the Inquiry Commission of the KBA
initiated disciplinary proceedings against Nisbet. On December 20, 2007, the
Inquiry Commission filed a one count complaint against Nisbet alleging
violation of SCR 3.130-8 .3(b) . In a response filed in January of 2008, Nisbet
maintained his innocence. Nisbet claimed he entered an Alford plea in order to
obtain a better outcome for his daughter (one of Nisbet's co-defendants) . At the
conclusion of its investigation, the Inquiry Commission brought a one-count
Charge against Nisbet, again alleging violation of SCR 3.130-8 .3(b) . Despite
personal service and written notice, Nisbet elected not to respond to the
Charge .
The Charge was presented as a default case to the Board of Governors on
November 21, 2008. With a vote of 18-0, the Board of Governors found Nisbet
guilty by a preponderance of evidence of violating SCR 3 .130-8 .3(b) . The Board
of Governors, again by a vote of 18-0, recommended that Nisbet be suspended
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from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for five (5) years.
The recommendation would have the suspension be retroactive so as to
coincide with Nisbet's criminal probation period.
III. Conclusion
Given the record in this case, we believe the Board of Governors'
recommendation of a five (5) year suspension is justified. Nisbet has not
sought review under SCR 3.370(8), nor does this Court elect to review the
decision of the Board of Governors under SCR 3 .370(9) . Therefore, the decision
of the Board of Governors is adopted in accordance with SCR 3 .370(10) .
ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
(1) William A. Nisbet, III, KBA Member No . 51840, is adjudged guilty of
violating SCR 3 .130-8 .3(b) .
(2) William A. Nisbet, III, KBA Member No. 51840, is hereby
suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a
period of five (5) years, with said suspension to be retroactive so as to coincide
with his five (5) year criminal probation period.
(3) William A. Nisbet, III, KBA Member No . 51840, shall comply with
the notice of suspension requirements set out in SCR 3 .390 . While the record
indicates that Nisbet has complied with the requirements concerning notice of
his temporary suspension as set out in SCR 3 .166, Nisbet shall ensure within
ten (10) days of the entry of this Opinion and Order that he has complied with
the requirements of SCR 3 .390 .
(4) In accordance with SCR 3.450, William A . Nisbet, III, KBA Member
No. 51840, is directed to pay all costs associated with these disciplinary
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proceedings in the amount of $262 .26, for which execution may issue from this
Court upon finality of this Opinion and Order.
All sitting. All concur.
ENTERED: April 23, 2009 .