Kansas Suspends Lawyer Who Forged Judge’s Signature

A Kansas attorney who forged the signatures of a judge and a clerk, neglected numerous clients and fabricated court pleadings, has been suspended for two years by the state’s top court.

A “two-year period of suspension is warranted given the serious nature of the respondent’s acts that gave rise to the multiple violations in this matter,” the Kansas Supreme Court’s Feb. 28 opinion said.

But attorney Laurel R. Kupka can reapply for reinstatement after nine months, the court said.

In 2011, Kupka joined Payne & Jones, Chartered, in Overland Park, Kan., as an associate. Her workload steadily increased over the ...