On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of Kentucky reinstated attorney Bradley Stuart Sowell after his suspension for violating agreements with the Office of Bar Admissions (OBA) and the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (KYLAP).
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Bradley Stuart Sowell,” with case no. 2023-SC-0179.
Bradley Stuart Sowell sought reinstatement following his 2020 suspension. Sowell’s history involves struggles with alcoholism and mental health. He initially entered voluntary treatment in 2008 and reached out to the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (KYLAP) to continue his treatment. In subsequent years, he violated agreements with the Office of Bar Admissions (OBA) and KYLAP, leading to multiple agreements and suspensions. Sowell’s journey towards recovery led to his application for reinstatement under SCR 3.502.
In relation to this, the Character and Fitness Committee and the Board of Governors recommended Sowell’s reinstatement, emphasizing his commitment to recovery. The court granted Sowell’s application for reinstatement based on his demonstrated character, fitness, and moral qualifications. The opinion and order focused on Sowell’s progress and compliance with KYLAP’s terms during his suspension, his efforts to create positive change in his life, and his contributions to community outreach, including starting a transitional sober living facility.
The Opinion and Order states:
“Since his failed drug test in 2019, Sowell has been continually compliant with KYLAP demands regarding sobriety and has been completely cooperative throughout. Sowell fulfilled the two-year waiting period suspension mandated before reapplying, using this time to speak at AA meetings and rehabilitation centers.”
The Opinion and Order continues:
“Sowell has also started Victory Lane, a transitional sober living facility in Bowling Green. Sowell has complied with every term of his suspension as well as paving a healthy way forward for both his legal career and personal life.”
Citing the precedent set by similar cases like Njuguna v. Ky. Bar Ass’n (2020), where reinstatement was granted to an attorney who battled addiction, complied with KYLAP, and showed dedication to recovery, the court found that Sowell’s case shared similarities. The court ordered Sowell’s reinstatement under certain conditions, including payment of costs, entering a consent agreement for conditional admission, and continued monitoring by KYLAP for four years with quarterly progress reports to the Character and Fitness Committee and the Office of Bar Admissions.
The Disposition states:
“Therefore, pursuant to SCR 3.503, it is hereby ORDERED that Bradley Sowell’s application for reinstatement to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is granted conditioned upon conditions.”
Mr. Sowell attended the Mississippi College School of Law, graduating in 2011. He practices in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is licensed in Kentucky. His info can be found on martindale.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
