The Kansas Supreme Court has suspended a Lawrence attorney’s license for 18 months for numerous rule violations that arose from complaints by her clients and by other attorneys.

The high court filed the disciplinary order on Friday suspending Joan M. Hawkins, owner of J Hawk law firm, and also ordered her to pay the costs for the disciplinary proceedings.

The court’s order said Hawkins, who handles family law cases, had filed false pleadings in district court, delayed returning unearned legal fees to a former client, improperly called into question the veracity of a court employee and engaged “in behavior that unreasonably delayed the resolution of two legal matters.”

On June 14, 2014, the office of the Disciplinary Administrator filed a formal complaint against Hawkins alleging violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, court records said.

A disciplinary panel analyzed the evidence, determined the rule violations resulted in six aggravating circumstances, and recommended suspension. Seven attorneys “in Hawkins’ legal community” testified at the hearing, and all said they had communication problems or negative experiences while working with her.

The panel found that Hawkins had:

• Prior disciplinary offenses.

• A pattern of misconduct.

• Multiple offenses.

• Intentionally failed to comply with rules or orders of the disciplinary process.

• Refused to acknowledge the wrongful nature of her conduct.

• Been indifferent to making restitution.

Although Hawkins challenged four of the circumstances, the Supreme Court disagreed with her.

“Clear and convincing evidence shows that Hawkins committed numerous rule violations in three separate cases,” the order said.