Conduct panel rebukes PB lawyer over untimely filing

— The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct reprimanded and cautioned a Pine Bluff lawyer in a decision released Thursday.

Jeffrey Kearney was reprimanded for failing to file a complaint on behalf of his client until shortly before thestatute of limitations expired on her 2006 case against an auto insurance company. Kearney also failed to file a pro hac vice petition, which would allow him to temporarily practice law in Mississippi, where his client Helen Parker filed her claim.

The committee also found that he failed to stay in contact with Parker and failed toproperly withdraw from the case.

The committee also cautioned Kearney for his failure to file a petition for judicial review on time, which resulted in his client, Terry Otter, losing the chance to have his petition reviewed.

Otter is serving a 40-year sentence for kidnapping and two counts of rape.

Arkansas, Pages 18 on 11/21/2010

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