Kentucky Bar Ass'n v. Heleringer

The Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association concluded that the Respondent’s statements at a press conference served to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the judicial process and tended to bring the bench and bar into disrepute. The Board found him guilty of unprofessional conduct as charged and recommended a public reprimand. The Respondent claims that his comments have the protection of the first amendment and has sought review of the board’s findings and recommendation. We hold that Respondent’s comments made in their context were not speech immune from professional…