On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an order publicly reprimanding attorney Leila Louise Hale for violations of conflict-of-interest and property safekeeping rules.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Leila Louise Hale,” with case no. 2024-SC-0034-KB.
The order stemmed from Hale’s representation of two unrelated personal injury clients while maintaining a relationship with a doctor who was employed as a medical expert in both cases. The court found Hale violated conflict-of-interest rules by not disclosing her relationship with the doctor or obtaining informed consent from the clients, which created a risk of limiting her responsibilities to them.
Hale directed payment to the doctor from her IOLTA account for work on the two cases, as well as others. However, at times she lacked sufficient client funds in the account to pay for one case. The court determined this placed other clients’ funds at risk, violating rules requiring client funds to be kept separate and safeguarded.
Originally disciplined by the Nevada Disciplinary Board, the Kentucky Supreme Court reciprocally reprimanded Hale under rules requiring identical punishment be imposed for out-of-state misconduct. Though Hale expressed willingness to comply with reciprocal proceedings, she did not provide cause to avoid the sanction.
The court order follows a previous public reprimand of Hale in April 2023 for unrelated misconduct in Nevada. As an attorney admitted to practice in Kentucky, Hale is required to abide by the state’s professional conduct standards. The reprimand remains part of her record and no further costs or penalties were imposed.
The Disposition states:
“It is ORDERED that: 1. Pursuant to SCR 3.435(4), Leila Louise Hale is publicly reprimanded for her violation of the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct and the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Hale is a personal injury Attorney in Henderson, Nevada. She attended the University of Idaho College of Law, graduating in 2000. She acquired her law license in Kentucky in 2013.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
