Attorneys – Agreement for Discipline by Consent – Interim Suspension

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Respondent solo practitioner’s misconduct warrants a public reprimand.

We accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent and publicly reprimanded Respondent for his misconduct.

In this attorney disciplinary matter, Respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel entered into an Agreement for Discipline by Consent (Agreement) pursuant to Rule 21 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement contained in Rule 413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules. In the Agreement, Respondent admits misconduct and consents to the imposition of a confidential admonition or a public reprimand. We accepted the Agreement and issued a public reprimand.

In 2023, Respondent was pulled over for speeding by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Following a search incident to this traffic stop, Respondent was arrested and charged with one felony count of possession with intent to distribute LSD, along with misdemeanor charges for simple possession of marijuana, possession of an open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, and speeding. At the time of his arrest, Respondent was a solo practitioner.

Respondent self-reported his arrest to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The Court placed Respondent on interim suspension and appointed the Receiver to protect the interests of Respondent’s clients. Respondent’s license was administratively suspended for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. In 2024, Respondent successfully completed the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Pre-Trial Intervention Program. As a result, Respondent’s charges for possession with intent to distribute LSD, simple possession of marijuana, and open container were nolle prossed, and his speeding charge was dismissed. All but the speeding charge have now been expunged. The Court granted Respondent’s petition to lift his interim suspension. Respondent remains on administrative suspension.

We found Respondent’s misconduct warrants a public reprimand.

Public reprimand.

In the Matter of Edward C. Nix (Lawyers’ Weekly No. 010-035-25, 3 pp.) (Per Curiam) Disciplinary Counsel William M. Blitch, Jr. and Assistant Disciplinary Counsel Phylicia Yvette Christine Coleman, both of Columbia, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel; Beattie B. Ashmore, of Greenville, for Respondent. South Carolina Supreme Court