Filing a Complaint
A complaint must be a sworn written statement, and:
- Cannot be submitted by telephone, email, or fax;
- Can be hand written or typed;
- Must include the name of the attorney you are filing against;
- Must contain your name, address, and contact information; and
- Must include a notarized signature (copies of your signature will not be accepted).
Access the Complaint Form (PDF)
Instructions for Filing a Complaint
- If you have a complaint against more than one attorney, use a SEPARATE complaint form for each attorney, with the details and relevant exhibits attached to each separate complaint.
- If you are filing more than one complaint, do not combine your complaint details or your exhibits into one document, or make a specific comment about a complaint filed against another attorney, or it will be returned to you.
- We will not accept complaints against law firms.
- Send your complaint with an original notarized signature. We will not accept a copy of your signature.
- State specifically, on each individual complaint, what the attorney did or failed to do which you believe constitutes unethical conduct.
- Provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Attach COPIES of any receipts, contracts, or other documents which are important to the complaint, to the back of each individual complaint. [Keep your own original documents.]
- Please do not bind your complaint or print on both sides of the paper. Type or write your complaint legibly in black ink so it can be copied.
- You may add more pages to the form if necessary.
- If you believe that drugs, alcohol or mental disability affected the lawyer’s representation, please state what facts support your belief.
- Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.150 provides that this matter is confidential at this stage of the proceedings, until the Inquiry Commission or its Chair has acted.
- The Office of Bar Counsel does not represent you in this matter but acts to investigate complaints on behalf of the Kentucky Supreme Court.
You may also call our office at (502) 564-3795 ext. 723 to request the form be mailed to you.
- Review all of the complaint instructions included on the complaint form.
- Make it clear what you think the lawyer did or did not do which you believe is unethical.
- Explain the action the lawyer took which you think constitutes a violation of the rules. You are not required to list specific rule numbers.
- Attach copies only of the documentation you believe to be relevant to the ethical rule violation. It is not necessary to attach the entire case file. Attaching irrelevant documents will only slow the process.
- Do not send original documents with your complaint. The documents will not be returned.
- Complaints are confidential.
- File a separate complaint for each attorney you believe has violated the rules.
- Do not reference other complaints you have filed, or the complaint will be returned to you.
- OBC staff cannot suggest what to do in your court case, or give you legal advice of any kind.
- OBC staff cannot tell you what is or is not a violation of ethical rules, or whether you should file a complaint.
Complaint Review
The Office of Bar Counsel (OBC), acting as an agency of the Supreme Court, is responsible for investigating complaints against lawyers practicing in Kentucky. The OBC also prosecutes charges of ethical misconduct issued by the Inquiry Commission.
Your complaint will go through an initial review to determine whether it alleges an ethical rule violation we can investigate. In some cases, the complaint is dismissed without investigation because it does not allege an ethical rule violation that can be investigated. You will be notified if your complaint is processed in this manner.
As a complianant, you are a witness in the proceedings, not a party. OBC does not represent you. You can, however, contact the OBC attorney for updates during the pendency of the matter.