Former South Bend attorney, school board president and Democratic party chair disciplined

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis attorney formerly based in South Bend criminal defense attorney Stan Wruble was sanctioned by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission last month after Wruble agreed he had violated his oath as an attorney by impermissably revealing confidential information about a client and by acting in an offensive manner.

Wruble previously served on the South Bend Community School Corp. Board of Trustees and as chair of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party.

Wruble was technically suspended from practicing law for 30 days, but that suspension can be avoided if he completes 18 months of probation with JLAP monitoring. The Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program is a state program to counsel attorneys and judges, who are at increased risk of mental illness and substance abuse.

Wruble's misconduct arose from a case in which he represented a client in St. Joseph County and their relationship soured. According to the Disciplinary Commission, the client's case was dismissed after reaching an agreement and fulfilling the conditions of that agreement. The client then reportedly left a one-star Google review on Wruble's law firm, Wruble Law LLC , complaining about trouble communicating with Wruble.

Wruble stipulated to the Disciplinary Commission that he "made multiple demands, using derogatory and profane language, that Client remove the review."

When the client refused to delete the review, Wruble posted a public response that revealed damaging information about the client related to the case Wruble represented them on. Wruble later filed a defamation lawsuit in Marion County against the client in which he again revealed damaging information he was bound not to share about the client.

That lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in January 2024.

In addition to the participation in JLAP counseling, Wruble was also ordered to undergo anger management therapy, not violate the law or the code of professional conduct or any court procedural rules during the term of the probation.

If Wruble violates the terms of his probation, the suspension will ensue without automatic reinstatement of his license at the end.

The opinion was written by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush.

Justice Geoffrey Slaughter partially dissented with the decision. While he agreed Wruble had committed misconduct and deserved punishment, he believed it inappropriate to find him in violation of acting in an offensive manner. Slaughter wrote that his concern arose not from a belief Wruble had not acted offensively but in the vagueness of that part of the code of conduct and his concern future cases could unfairly use that clause to target unpopular attorneys or attorneys with unpopular clients.

Justice Derek Molter wrote a concurring opinion in which he said he agreed with Rush's opinion but also wanted to acknowledge Slaughter's concern and express willingness to consider that point on future cases. Rush and Justice Mark Massa signed in agreement with Molter's opinion.

Justice Christopher Goff merely concurred with Rush's main opinion.

The Tribune called Wruble's law office for comment and a receptionist said Wruble was out of the office and would not be available to comment.

The case at the root of the disciplinary action was apparently not the only time Wruble has filed a defamation suit against a client for a one-star Google review. On May 21, 2019, Wruble filed suit in St. Joseph County, claiming Joshua Day published two reviews under fake names that contained false and defamatory statements about Wruble's work as an attorney. The lawsuit stated that these reviews from Day were intended to harm Wruble's reputation by lowering him in the community's estimation. A default judgement was ruled in favor of Wruble on Jan. 20, 2021, as Day failed to respond and make an appearance. An award of $350,000 in damages was approved.

As of Aug. 7, the only responses from Wruble Law LLC are issued to five-star Google reviews from clients.

Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Former South Bend attorney, school board president and Democratic party chair disciplined