On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Kentucky suspended attorney Steven O. Thornton from practicing law for one year due to multiple violations of professional conduct rules. Thornton faced disciplinary action following a series of ethical lapses in a foreclosure case, as outlined in a Supreme Court opinion and order.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Steven O. Thornton,” with case no. 2025-SC-0069-KB
The case stemmed from Thornton’s representation of clients, identified as the Malinowskis, in a December 2020 foreclosure action in Barren Circuit Court. The clients paid Thornton a $5,000 retainer, charged at $200 per hour, but no formal fee agreement was established, and the funds were deposited directly into Thornton’s operating account. During their initial meeting, Thornton inquired about service of process, and the Malinowskis indicated they had not been served. However, court records later revealed they were served via a Warning Order Attorney, a fact Thornton failed to address adequately.
Thornton obtained a copy of the complaint against his clients by contacting opposing counsel, Attorney Bobby Richardson. A Barren Circuit Court order dated January 6, 2021, noted that Thornton had contacted the plaintiffs’ counsel on behalf of the Malinowskis but failed to enter an appearance or file responsive pleadings. Despite receiving notices of an impending default judgment, Thornton took no action, leading to a default judgment against his clients. The property in question was sold by the master commissioner on March 26, 2021.
Following the sale, the Malinowskis requested a refund of their retainer on June 4, 2021, but Thornton did not issue the refund until February 2023, after a formal complaint was filed with the Kentucky Bar Association on November 14, 2022. The Bar Association charged Thornton with four counts of misconduct, to which he responded, and an evidentiary hearing was held on July 15, 2024.
The Supreme Court found Thornton guilty of violating several Rules of Professional Conduct. He breached Rule 3.130(1.3) by failing to act with diligence and promptness, as he did not file necessary court documents. He also violated Rule 3.130(1.4)(a)(2) and (4) by not consulting with his clients about their case objectives or responding promptly to their requests for information, a violation he admitted in his response. Additionally, Thornton violated Rule 3.130(1.16)(d) by delaying the refund of the unearned retainer, failing to protect his clients’ interests after representation ended. Finally, he admitted to violating Rule 3.130(8.1)(b) by not responding adequately to disciplinary inquiries.
The Trial Commissioner recommended a one-year suspension, a sanction the Supreme Court adopted, citing consistency with prior cases involving similar misconduct. Thornton’s suspension, exceeding 180 days, requires him to meet reinstatement conditions under Rule 3.502. Within ten days of the order, he must notify all clients and courts of his suspension, provide copies of these notices to the Office of Bar Counsel, and cease any advertising activities. He is also prohibited from accepting new clients or collecting unearned fees during the suspension.
The Disposition states:
“Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED as follows: Steven O. Thornton, KBA Member No. 70895, is found guilty of violating SCR 3.130(1.3); 3.130(1.4)(a)(2) and (4); 3.130(1.16)(d); and 3.130(8.1)(b); As discipline for these violations, Thornton is suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for one (1) year.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Thornton is a criminal defense attorney in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He acquired his law license in Kentucky in 1983.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
