IN RE: Jon Rhyan FRITZ (2026)

OPINION AND ORDER

Jon Rhyan Fritz, Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) Number 87483, was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on October 16, 1998. Fritz is currently suspended from the practice of law pursuant to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 3.167 by Order dated February 20, 2025. In this default case pursuant to SCR 3.210, the KBA Board of Governors (Board) recommends this Court find Fritz guilty of violating several Supreme Court Rules spanning ten disciplinary files. Because neither party filed notice for this Court to review the Board's decision, we adopt the Board's recommendation pursuant to SCR 3.370(10).

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This proceeding involves ten disciplinary actions stemming from Fritz's failure to comply with the rules of professional conduct. We discuss each disciplinary file in turn.

OBC File 24-DIS-0041

In 2022, Vera Williams retained Fritz to represent her in a wrongful termination matter and paid Fritz $3,500. An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation ensued, but Fritz only filed one document on Ms. Williams’ behalf. Over the next several months, Williams attempted to contact Fritz on numerous occasions, and he either did not respond or set up meetings that he would subsequently cancel. Fritz ultimately missed the 90-day statute of limitations to file suit against Ms. Williams’ employer and never returned any money to Williams.

Initially, this matter was open for informal resolution, and Fritz communicated with the Office of Bar Counsel, providing numerous excuses for his conduct. The Office of Bar Counsel mailed Fritz a letter on June 21, 2024, requesting he provide a copy of Ms. Williams’ client file, but Fritz never responded. Based on these events, the Inquiry Commission issued an 8 count charge against Fritz on July 9, 2024, alleging violation of: (1) SCR 3.130(1.2)(a) for failing to abide by Williams’ decisions concerning the objectives of representation; (2) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep Williams informed; SCR 3.130(1.5)(f) for failing to execute a written advance fee agreement; SCR 3.130(1.15)(e) regarding client trust accounts; SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; SCR 3.130(8.1)(a) for knowingly making false statements in a disciplinary matter; and SCR 3.130(8.1)(b) for failure to respond to requests for information.

A complaint was served via certified mail, but Fritz never responded. The Disciplinary Clerk attempted to serve the Charge on Fritz at his bar roster address but was unsuccessful. Service was thereafter attempted through the Henderson County Sheriff's Office but was also unsuccessful. Service was completed by service on the Executive Director, pursuant to SCR 3.035(2), and Fritz was also served by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on July 17, 2025.

OBC File 24-DIS-0241

Tracy Pennington paid Fritz $1,500 to represent her son in a criminal matter. Fritz filed an entry of appearance and appeared with his client on February 26, 2024. Thereafter, Fritz failed to appear multiple times at scheduled pre-trial conferences. The client discharged Fritz, and a public defender was appointed. The client filed a Bar Complaint against Fritz on August 22, 2024.

The Inquiry Commission issued a three-count Charge against Fritz, which included violations of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (3) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Again, service was attempted at his bar roster address but was unsuccessful, and Fritz was ultimately served via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff.

OBC File 24-DIS-0261

In 2024, Kelsey Compton and her fiancé contacted Fritz seeking representation in a potential custody action involving Ms. Compton's ex-husband. Fritz accepted $3,000 but had minimal contact with Ms. Compton and her fiancé. Many communication attempts by Ms. Compton went unanswered, nothing was filed on Ms. Compton's behalf, and none of the fees were refunded. As a result, Ms. Compton filed a Bar Complaint against Fritz on September 6, 2024.

The Inquiry Commission issued a three-count Charge against Fritz which included violations of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (3) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Service was attempted at his bar roster address and an address at which bar counsel believed Fritz was renting office space, but was unsuccessful, and Fritz was ultimately served via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff.

OBC File 24-DIS-0262

Keely Hawk hired Fritz and paid him $3,750 to represent her in a family court matter and file an expungement petition. Between December 2023 and August 2024, Ms. Hawk texted Fritz at least thirty times. Fritz only responded a few times and mostly provided excuses as to why he was not doing the work, including medical and personal problems. She periodically messaged Fritz asking if he had forgotten about her or whether he was still alive. On a few occasions, Fritz responded but never gave any updates. Fritz never filed anything on Ms. Hawk's behalf related to the expungement and she ultimately handled that matter herself. He also never filed anything in the family law matter and refused to refund the fee. Ms. Hawk filed a Bar Complaint against Fritz, but he failed to respond.

The Inquiry Commission issued a four-count Charge against Fritz on January 13, 2025, alleging violation of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (3) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (4) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Service was effectuated via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19, 2025.

OBC File 24-DIS-0286

On May 15, 2021, Christopher Smith was arrested and charged with serious criminal offenses. The Department of Public Advocacy originally represented Smith, but his mother, Glendora Smith, retained Fritz to represent him. Fritz entered an appearance and filed a discovery motion in the criminal case. Fritz took no further action on Smith's behalf, and eventually the DPA was reappointed to represent Smith. Ms. Smith filed a Bar Complaint against Fritz on September 24, 2024, alleging she was no longer able to contact him. Deputy Bar Counsel made two attempts to contact Ms. Smith for additional details, but she never responded.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz on January 24, 2025, asserting violation of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (3) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. The Charge was served via service on the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2), as well as the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on May 19, 2025.

OBC File 24-DIS-0296

Amber and Cory Williams separated in June 2017 and filed pro se divorce petitions. It was later determined that Ms. Williams's petition was deficient and she retained Fritz to assist her. Ms. Williams's grandfather paid Fritz $3,500. Fritz filed an amended divorce petition on August 14, 2023, and a motion for a case management conference on February 13, 2024. Thereafter, Fritz did nothing else to advance Ms. Williams's case, and she lost contact with him. Ms. Williams filed an application with the Client Security Fund on October 14, 2024, which resulted in a Bar Complaint being initiated against Fritz because he never filed the necessary documents, did not provide Ms. Williams with any updates on the case, and never responded to any of her attempts to contact him.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz on January 13, 2025, alleging violation of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (3) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (4) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Service was effectuated via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19, 2025.

OBC File 24-DIS-0301

In August 2023, Dustin Blixt retained Fritz to represent him on multiple charges of sexual abuse and paid a $10,000 retainer. Fritz filed an entry of appearance and discovery motion. The case went to mediation, but the mediation agreement was rejected by the court. Mr. Blixt's last communication with Fritz was July 10, 2024. A trial date was canceled, and Fritz failed to appear at a second pre-trial conference, so the court removed him as counsel. Mr. Blixt filed an application with the Client Security Fund on October 17, 2024, which resulted in a Bar Complaint.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz on January 13, 2025, alleging violation of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (3) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (4) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Service was effectuated via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19, 2025.

OBC File 24-DIS-0305

Shania Brooks retained Fritz to file a motion to withdraw her friend David McPherson's guilty plea to multiple counts of possession of child pornography and to represent McPherson in the reopened case. Ms. Brooks paid Fritz $5,000 and, later, an additional $5,000 to get Mr. McPherson released from custody and to handle the Court of Appeals case. Fritz filed an entry of appearance on March 24, 2024, and a motion for an appellate bond on April 7, 2024, but missed the first hearing on the bond motion. Fritz never filed a motion with the trial court to set aside the guilty plea. While he filed a notice of appeal, he failed to file a brief and ignored a show cause order. Fritz repeatedly ignored communications from his clients, canceled meetings, and ignored his clients’ request for itemized billing. When his clients asked whether he could handle the case, Fritz responded with an obscenity-laced text. The clients had no contact with Fritz after July 2024 and filed a Bar Complaint in October 2024.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz on January 13, 2025, alleging violation of the following rules: (1) SCR 3.130(1.1) for failure to provide competent representation; (2) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (3) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (4) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (5) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. Service was effectuated via the Executive Director pursuant to SCR 3.035(2) and the Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19, 2025.

OBC File 25-DIS-0105

Julie Richardson and her husband retained Fritz and paid $3,500 for his representation in a custody case. Mrs. Richardson met with Fritz for a hearing on April 21, 2023, but he made them wait outside while he went in the courtroom and asked for a continuance. There was confusion surrounding the rescheduled date, and Fritz messaged the Richardsons stating he had COVID and contacted the court to reschedule the hearing. However, this was untrue and his clients lost parenting time with their son. In response to his clients’ inquiry, Fritz sent an obscenity-laced message stating that he would rectify the situation, but he never did. Thereafter, the clients made multiple attempts to contact Fritz via text, email, mail, and in-person but were unsuccessful. Fritz refused to return the retainer, and the clients filed a Bar Complaint on April 1, 2025.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz on July 14, 2025, alleging violation of: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (3) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; and (4) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address. The Charge was served via Jefferson County Sheriff on October 28, 2025.

OBC File 25-DIS-0137

In October 2023, Richard Lanning retained Fritz to represent him in a paternity and child support case and paid a $3,500 retainer. Fritz represented Mr. Lanning in court regarding a paternity test, and the court ordered the parties to brief the issues. Fritz failed to submit a brief. Fritz had no contact with Mr. Lanning after May of 2024, except to advise Mr. Lanning that he had “died” during surgery, had been hospitalized, and that his house had burned down. Mr. Lanning was forced to file his brief pro se and handle his case himself. Mr. Lanning eventually retained a second attorney to assist him and filed a Bar Complaint against Fritz.

The Inquiry Commission issued a Charge against Fritz alleging violation of: (1) SCR 3.130(1.3) for lack of diligence; (2) SCR 3.130(1.4)(a) for failing to keep his client informed; (3) SCR 3.130(1.16)(d) for failure to refund the fee; (4) SCR 3.130(3.4)(c) for failure to maintain a bar roster address; and (5) SCR 3.130(8.1)(b) for failure to respond to requests for information in a disciplinary matter. The Charge was served on Fritz on October 28, 2025.

Fritz has failed to timely or adequately answer the above-described charges, which led to the disciplinary cases being before the Board of Governors by default. After due deliberations, a roll-call vote was taken with respect to each count of each of the Charges. The Board of Governors unanimously voted that Fritz was guilty of all counts in all the Charges against him.

The Board noted the presence of aggravating factors, such as a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, substantial experience in the practice of law, and indifference to making restitution. However, given Fritz's lack of participation in the disciplinary process, the Board noted there are no known mitigating factors. In terms of prior discipline, Fritz was suspended for nonpayment of dues for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and indefinitely suspended by this Court on February 20, 2025.

The Board voted 16 to 0 to recommend Fritz be suspended from the practice of law for one year, attend and successfully complete the Ethics and Professionalism Enhancement Program, enter into and comply with a KYLAP monitoring agreement, pay restitution to his former clients, and be required to pay the costs associated with this action.

Neither party filed notice, pursuant to SCR 3.370(8), for this Court to review the Board's decision, nor do we elect to review the decision of the Board pursuant to SCR 3.370(9). Therefore, we adopt the decision of the Board pursuant to SCR 3.370(10).

ACCORDINGLY, the Court ORDERS:

(1) Respondent, Jon Rhyan Fritz, is adjudged guilty on all counts and hereby is suspended from the practice of law for one year from the date of this Opinion and Order;

(2) Because Fritz's suspension exceeds 180 days, he must fulfill all relevant requirements under SCR 3.502 for reinstatement.

(3) Pursuant to SCR 3.390, Fritz, if he has not already done so, shall, within twenty days from the entry of this Opinion and Order, notify all clients in writing of his inability to represent them, and notify all courts in which he has matters pending of his suspension from the practice of law, and furnish copies of said letters to the Office of Bar Counsel. Pursuant to SCR 3.390(2), Fritz shall, to the extent possible, immediately cancel and cease any advertising activities in which he is engaged.

(4) During the time of his suspension, Fritz shall not accept new clients or collect unearned fees.

(5) If he has not already done so, Fritz shall immediately make restitution in the following amounts to the following individuals:

a. $3,500 to Vera Williams;

b. $1,500 to Tracy Pennington;

c. $3,000 to Kelsey Compton;

d. $3,750 to Keely Hawk;

e. $3,500 to Amber Williams

f. $10,000 to Dustin Blixt;

g. $10,000 to David McPherson;

h. $3,500 to Julie Richardson and her husband; and

i. $3,500 to Richard Lanning.

(6) Fritz shall attend, at his expense, and successfully complete the Ethics and Professionalism Enhancement Program (EPEP);

(7) Fritz shall participate in the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (KYLAP) on such terms and conditions as set by KYLAP, including entering into a KYLAP Monitoring Agreement; and

(8) In accordance with SCR 3.450, Fritz is directed to pay all costs associated with these disciplinary proceedings, in the amount of $1,855.40, for which execution may issue from this Court upon finality of this Opinion and Order.

/s/ Debra Hembree Lambert

CHIEF JUSTICE LAMBERT

All sitting. All concur.