On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Kentucky Supreme Court sanctioned Henderson Family Court Judge David Curlin following a series of disciplinary violations related to his conduct as an attorney prior to his judicial appointment. The court’s opinion and order outline a one-year suspension of Curlin’s law license, with 90 days to be served retroactively from September 29, 2023. The remainder of the suspension will be probated for one year under specific conditions.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge David Curlin,” with case number 2025-SC-0082-KB.
The proceedings against Judge Curlin stem from multiple complaints filed with the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA), which noted his repeated failures to respond to various charges and orders from the court. Initially, Curlin was indefinitely suspended from practicing law on September 29, 2023, due to his lack of response to KBA complaints. However, this suspension was lifted on January 12, 2024, when the court set aside the previous order.
The court’s decision to impose sanctions was based on findings that Curlin violated several rules of professional conduct, including failure to diligently represent clients and communicate effectively. The most significant of these violations occurred in multiple disciplinary cases dating back to his time as a private attorney.
In one case, Judge Curlin represented a client in a slip and fall lawsuit but did not file a complaint, allowing the statute of limitations to expire. His lack of communication with the client, who attempted to reach him multiple times, resulted in significant legal consequences. Curlin acknowledged his misconduct but attributed it partly to challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including difficulties in obtaining necessary medication for his ADHD.
Another case involved Curlin’s representation of a tenant in a civil collection suit. He conceded to failing to inform the client about trial dates and neglecting to file an appeal after a judgment was made against the client. Evidence indicated that Curlin did not adequately communicate with the client and failed to follow through with necessary legal actions.
In a separate disciplinary matter, Curlin faced accusations related to his representation of a client in a personal injury case. He admitted to several violations, including neglecting to terminate his representation properly after assuming the bench. This neglect led to the dismissal of the client’s case due to lack of prosecution.
The Kentucky Supreme Court noted that Curlin’s violations included a pattern of failing to respond to communications and complaints, both from clients and the KBA. The court emphasized that Curlin’s ignorance of the disciplinary process could not be used as a valid excuse for his failures.
In its ruling, the court highlighted that Curlin’s ADHD condition, which affected his ability to manage his responsibilities effectively, did not absolve him of his professional obligations. The court stated that despite Curlin’s challenges, he had successfully campaigned for judicial office in 2023, indicating that he was capable of fulfilling his duties.
The final ruling specifies that Curlin’s suspension will be subject to probationary conditions, including the requirement to enter into a Monitoring Agreement with the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (KYLAP) concerning his ADHD treatment. Should Curlin fail to adhere to the terms of this probation, he may face further suspension.
Additionally, the court ordered Curlin to bear the costs associated with the disciplinary proceedings.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
