On Friday, November 4, 2022, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled on the submitted “Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline” stipulated by and between the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and Respondent Indianapolis attorney John S. Keeler relating to charges for attorney discipline against Keeler for his conviction to filing a false tax return.

The case titled ‘In the Matter of John S. Keeler, was brought by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, Case # 22S-DI-146.

The charges cited Indiana Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(b) (prohibiting a criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer’s trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer) and Rule 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation).

The Indiana Professional Conduct Rules can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

The respondent pleaded guilty to one count of Causing the Filing of a False Tax Return in the United States District Court for the Southern District of  Indiana on April 18, 2022. Due to his conviction, respondent was placed under interim suspension since June 9, 2022.

The Order states:

“The parties agree that Respondent violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules prohibiting the following misconduct:

8.4(b): Committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.

8.4(c): Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.”

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the court ruled against the Respondent in relation to the above-cited Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Disposition reads:

“For Respondent’s professional misconduct, the Court suspends Respondent from the practice of law for a period of not less than 545 days, without automatic reinstatement, effective immediately.”

Further, the court ordered Respondent to pay the costs of the proceedings in the amount of $274.25.

Prior to suspension, Mr. John S. Keeler practiced in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, graduating in 1977.  Keeler has been licensed in Indiana. His profile can be found on Super Lawyers.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.