Recent Articles

Thanks for your interest!

Ben Cowgill
October 22, 2008 22:13

My "site statistics" show that this online newsletter has received 71,722 visits since it was launched about two years ago, including 2,364 visits over the past thirty days. Thanks for your interest!My "site statistics" show that this online newsletter has received 71,722 visits since it...

Since when is journalism 'a new game in town' that needs to be regulated?

Ben Cowgill
October 22, 2008 20:03

It is the Commission's duty to regulate the advertisement of legal services, not to control all forms of public communication by lawyers. Has the Commission become so jaundiced that it regards any public communication by a lawyer as an advertisement for legal services, and any new method of...

Cartoon in Bench and Bar magazine prompts questions about balance and good taste

Ben Cowgill
October 22, 2008 20:00

It does seem surprising that the leadership of the Bar would permit a cartoon of that nature to be published on the pages of the state bar journal. After all, the cost of publishing Bench & Bar magazine is borne by the entire membership of the Kentucky Bar, including personal injury...

Order in 'consensual discipline' case is further evidence that the 'new' Supreme Court of Kentucky is looking closely at disciplinary prosecutions

Ben Cowgill
February 21, 2008 17:59

The ruling is significant because it is further evidence that the "new" Supreme Court of Kentucky is examining disciplinary cases closely, even when it receives a case on an unopposed motion for "consensual discipline."Today the Supreme Court of Kentucky issued a public disciplinary order in which...

Ten upcoming CLE presentations, on the Internet and in person

Ben Cowgill
February 21, 2008 14:13

I am planning to offer three "Last Chance" Ethics CLE seminars live on the Internet during the weeks of June 18 and June 25, for members of the Bar who are not able to attend the KBA Annual Convention in Louisville. ... I have also agreed to make live, in-person presentations at seven seminars and...

Congratulations to Chief Deputy Bar Counsel Jay R. Garrett

Ben Cowgill
February 21, 2008 07:30

Congratulations to Jay R. Garrett, who has been appointed Chief Deputy Bar Counsel at the Kentucky Bar Association. Mr. Garrett has served as a Deputy Bar Counsel for many years, and has also served as the"intake manager" in the Office of Bar Counsel for the past several years.Congratulations to...

Lawyer regulation in the context of a 'unified' state bar

Ben Cowgill
February 21, 2008 04:55

The existence of a"unified" state bar does not automatically or necessarily mean that attorney disciplinary matters are handled by a state bar association. In fact, the American Bar Association recommends a different approach to the handling of disciplinary matters, even in states like Kentucky...

KBA moves Client Assistance Program into Office of Bar Counsel

Ben Cowgill
February 21, 2008 01:44

In light of everything the KBA stated and represented to the membership of the Bar several years ago regarding the functional relationship between the Client Assistance Program and the Office of Bar Counsel, it seems that the KBA ought to make some conspicuous announcement and explanation of the...

Congratulations to Jim Deckard, the KBA's new Executive Director

Ben Cowgill
February 20, 2008 20:37

Congratulations to Jim Deckard, General Counsel to Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Association. He succeeds Bruce K. Davis, who will retire in March after serving as Executive Director for 24 years. ... I had the pleasure of...

Criticism of Deckard appointment misunderstands the position of KBA Executive Director

Ben Cowgill
February 20, 2008 20:26

During my five years of service in the Office of Bar Counsel, first as Chief Deputy and then as Chief, KBA Executive Director Bruce Davis never attempted to influence that process in any way. To suggest that Mr. Deckard would attempt to do otherwise is an affront to his personal integrity. ......