A prominent Northern Kentucky lawyer has been barred from practicing law for three years following a ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ben Dusing was suspended due to his behavior in custody battles involving his children, including making threatening remarks toward other attorneys.
The suspension, which was recommended by the Kentucky Bar Association's Board of Governors in October 2023, was upheld by the state's highest court. Four justices ruled in favor of the three-year suspension, while two advocated for permanent disbarment. Dusing has been temporarily suspended from practicing law since early 2022, and this latest ruling extends his inability to practice for a significant period.
The court's decision stems from Dusing's actions during custody disputes with two separate women. In 2021, he posted a threatening Facebook message aimed at two attorneys involved in his case in Kenton County Family Court. The post included a video that the justices described as "incredibly disturbing and threatening," in which Dusing used profane language repeatedly over the course of approximately nine minutes.
While Dusing later apologized for the video, claiming he was advocating for court reform and expressing frustration with alleged corruption in the family court process, the justices disputed this notion. The ruling outlined various forms of misconduct, including what they termed a "history of engaging in frivolous litigation" in family court proceedings.
The justices' ruling stated:
Dusing failed to use the law's procedures for legitimate purposes and instead intentionally sought to harass and intimidate others.
Dusing's behavior extended beyond the threatening video. The court documents reveal a pattern of actions that were deemed disruptive to the legal process. He filed numerous motions seeking the recusal of the judge presiding over both of his cases and initiated almost two dozen appellate actions between the two cases.
Additionally, Dusing attempted to have an opposing attorney disqualified just days before a scheduled trial. His tactics also included threatening the judge and opposing attorneys with disciplinary complaints and approaching authorities with allegations of "criminally corrupt conduct" in the proceedings.
Perhaps most notably, court filings indicate that Dusing asked his own attorney to pay a psychologist $5,000 to alter a custodial evaluation. These actions collectively painted a picture of an attorney who, in the eyes of the court, was misusing legal procedures for personal gain rather than legitimate purposes.
Dusing's legal career has been marked by high-profile cases and controversy. As a former federal prosecutor, he has represented notable clients such as Jeff Pastor, a former Cincinnati City Council member convicted of a federal corruption charge, and Doug Evans, the owner of Evans Landscaping who was convicted in a scheme to win contracts intended for minority-owned businesses.
This is not the first time Dusing has faced sanctions for his behavior in family court. In a separate incident, he was ordered to serve seven days in jail after being found in contempt of court for violating orders that restricted communication with his ex-fiancée.
The Kentucky Supreme Court's decision to suspend Dusing for three years reflects the seriousness with which the judicial system views ethical violations and the misuse of legal procedures. The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining professional conduct, even in personal legal matters.
Ben Dusing, a prominent Northern Kentucky attorney, has been suspended from practicing law for three years by the Kentucky Supreme Court. The suspension stems from his conduct during custody disputes, including threatening behavior towards attorneys and a pattern of disruptive legal tactics. This case underscores the consequences of ethical violations in the legal profession and the court's commitment to maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings.
