On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Supreme Court of Kentucky rendered its decision on the filing entitled Opinion and Order. The case, titled Richard Davis Null v. Kentucky Bar Association, was brought by Kentucky Bar Association. Case #2022-SC-0422-KB.
The charge cited violations of Kentucky Supreme Court Rules, namely SCR 3.130(1.3), two counts of SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3), four counts of SCR1.130(1.4)(a)(4), one count of SCR 3.130(1.6)(a), two counts of SCR3.130 (1.15)(a), seven counts of SCR 3.130(1.16)(d), two counts of SCR3.130(8.1)(a), one count of SCR 3.130(8.1)(b), and four counts of SCR3.130(8.4)(c).
Having admitted all the allegations therein, Richard Davis Null filed a motion for suspension from the practice of law, pursuant to SCR 23.480(2). The Kentucky Bar Association filed a response expressing no objection to the negotiated sanction. The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed and imposed a one-year suspension from the practice of law, with 180 days to serve and the balance probated for two years, subject to conditions as set forth by the Court.
The order states:
‘The case involves eight (8) separate disciplinary actions against Mr. Null. In July 2019, the Inquiry Commission filed a four-clunt Charge against Null for failing to show up for client Richard Payne’s pre-trial conference on February 1, 2018, failing to refund unearned fees and falsely stating to Bar Counsel that he refunded $500 worth of unearned fees to Mr. Payne.’
The order continues:
‘In June 2020, the Inquiry Commission filed a two-count charge against Null for not having a trust account in which to deposit client funds for safekeeping, failing to return client Gregory Sallee’s file and not refunding unearned fees when the representation ended.’
The order further alleges:
‘In October 2020, the Inquiry Commission filed a three-count Charge against Null for not filing a petition for custody or diligently prosecuting the case clients Gretchen and Michael Tucker, not refunding the Tuckers’ unearned fee for more than seven (7) months after representation ended and misrepresentation.’
The order additionally notes:
‘In February 2021, the Inquiry Commission filed a five-count Charge for his mishandling of client Jeremy Smith’s case, and in March 2021, the Inquiry Commission filed a three-count Charge for her negligence in handling client Rachele Freiberg’s case. More charges were filed against Null for negligence in handling clients Michael Bellamy’s case, Crystal Busby and Dawn Renee Robinson’s separate cases.’
The Disposition states:
‘Richard Davis Null, is hereby found guilty of violating seven counts of SCR 3.130(1.3), two counts of SCR 3.130(1.4)(a)(3), four counts of SCR1.130(1.4)(a)(4), one count of SCR 3.130(1.6)(a), two counts of SCR3.130)(1.15)(a),seven counts of SCR 3.130(1.16)(d),two counts of SCR3.130(8.1)(a), one count of SCR 3.130(8.1)(b), and four counts of SCR3.130(8.4)(c), and is suspended from the practice of law for one year,180days of which shall be served, and the balance,185days, shall be probated for two years, subject to the following conditions.’
As of today, Mr. Null is not listed on the website of any law firm as a practicing attorney. His info can be found here. He attended Salmon P. Chase College of Law and was admitted to the practice of law on April 24, 1998. Null practices in Paducah, Kentucky. He has been licensed in Kentucky, license #87271.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
