Henderson County Family Court Judge David Curlin has been suspended from the bench.
Curlin was “indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, effective Sept. 30, 2023,” according to an order from the Kentucky Bar Association.
According to the order, the Kentucky Bar Association motioned the Kentucky Supreme Court” to indefinitely suspend Curlin from the practice of law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 3.167(1) because he had failed to answer a charge issued by the Inquiry Commission in two separate disciplinary cases. The issuance of charges, in the first instance, was precipitated by Curlin’s failure to respond to two separate bar complaints, each of which related to legal services he performed prior to his election to judicial office.”
The order says that Curlin personally signed for the charges at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, but that he continued to be “nonresponsive.” The order said the Supreme Court issued orders on March 10 and April 14 directing Curlin to show cause why he should not be suspended from the practice of law.
On April 25, Curlin filed a written response stating he hadn’t received the motions due to the hasty closure of his law office and his change of employment address due to his recent election as judge. According to the order, Curlin said he would have responded to the filings had he known about them and stated his intention to respond to the charges.
The Kentucky Bar Association said they took Curlin at his word. The KBA said as of Sept. 29th, they still had not been provided any documentation from Curlin, nor has he responded to the Inquiry Commission’s Charges.
Effective as of Sept. 30th, Curlin was indefinitely suspended from practicing law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Curlin has been practicing law since May 1, 2009.
Curlin began his term as Henderson County Family Court Judge in January after winning an election in November.
According to the Kentucky Bar Association order, disciplinary proceedings will proceed against Curlin.
Since Curlin is suspended from practicing law in Kentucky, he is temporarily disqualified to serve as Henderson County Family Court judge, though the suspension doesn’t affect his pay status. During his temporary disqualification, Curlin cannot access or utilize court resources.
WSON has reached out to Curlin. He said he cannot comment on pending litigation.
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