On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of Kentucky issued an opinion suspending attorney Brittany Lawryn Oliver from practicing law for 181 days.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Brittany Lawryn Oliver,” with case no. 2024-SC-0098-KB.
The case involved three separate disciplinary matters where Oliver failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness while representing clients in bankruptcy cases. In the first case, Oliver was hired by Manuel and Barbara Puckett in 2021 to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy but failed to take any action on their case. She also did not communicate with them and did not return their $1,200 fee for nearly a year until ordered by a bankruptcy court.
In the second matter, Brian and Brenda Caudill retained Oliver to file for bankruptcy in 2021, but she did not take any action on their case as well. Oliver closed her office without completing their case and only returned their $1,200 fee after being ordered by the court over a year later.
The third disciplinary case involved Dexter and Zella Kidd who hired Oliver to file for bankruptcy in 2021, but their case was also never worked on. Oliver’s office was closed without notice and her phone was disconnected, making her impossible for the clients to contact. She failed to return their $1,200 fee despite multiple court orders.
Oliver did not respond to the charges in any of the three matters. The Kentucky Bar Association Board of Governors reviewed the default cases and recommended Oliver be suspended from the practice of law for 181 days.
The Supreme Court agreed with this sanction, noting two prior similar cases where attorneys received the same length of suspension.
As part of her suspension, Oliver must comply with reinstatement requirements, notify clients and courts of her suspension, refrain from legal advertising or accepting new clients, return unearned fees, and pay costs associated with the disciplinary actions totaling $898.16. She is also required to attend ethics training and participate in the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Oliver is an attorney in Campton, Kentucky. She acquired her law license in Kentucky in 2009.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
