One of the best ways to stay out of trouble is to have an understanding of why people are getting into trouble. In 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court handed out 76 informal admonitions, six private reprimands, eight public reprimands, 10 probations, 42 suspensions, and 46 disbarments. This year, to date, there have been over 26 disbarments.

Of note this year is the number of “big names” who have received discipline. In January, former Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin was disbarred on consent following her conviction in February 2013, on four felony counts. January also saw the disbarment on consent of Robert J. Powell for his part in the “kids-for-cash” corruption scandal and other ancillary issues, including concealing his business relationship with former Judge Mark A. Ciavarella. Also disbarred in January, reciprocal with the District of Columbia, was Adrian Cronauer, the Vietnam-era disc jockey made famous through his portrayal by Robin Williams in “Good Morning Vietnam.” The District of Columbia does not make the reasons for discipline public. In June, Joseph Lawless, Villanova attorney, former assistant district attorney, actor and CNN court commentator, received a stayed suspension following five alcohol-related driving offenses. Most recently, in September, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane received a suspension due to charges she illegally leaked information about grand jury proceedings to the media.

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