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Attorneys – Discipline – Disbarment – Failure to Communicate – Trust Account
Among other things, respondent failed to (1) communicate with his clients, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, or this court; (2) diligently represent his clients; and (3) maintain accurate records for his trust account. Respondent admits that he violated several provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rule 1.1 (competence); Rule 1.3 (diligence); Rule 1.4 (communication); […]
Nichols named as next disciplinary counsel
Columbia lawyer John Nichols has been tapped to serve as the new head of the state Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which screens, investigates and prosecutes complaints against members of the bar. Nichols, who during the past 15 years has defended many lawyers and some judges against ethical complaints, said Chief Justice Donald Beatty […]
Attorneys – Discipline – Disbarment – Cocaine Addiction – Clients’ Money & Cases
In re Locklair (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-094-16, 11 pp.) (Per Curiam) (John Few, J., not participating) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: While suffering from a cocaine addiction, respondent ignored his clients, misappropriated their money, and only sporadically responded to communications from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Respondent violated multiple Rules of Professional Conduct. Respondent is disbarred[...]
Attorneys – Discipline – Failure to Communicate – Lack of Diligence – Trust Account
In re Moak (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-056-16, 5 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: In several matters, respondent failed to communicate with his clients and failed to diligently represent his clients; in one case, he also failed to place an unearned fee into a trust account or to refund the unearned fee. Respondent has […]
Attorneys – Discipline – Disbarment – Theft from Clients & Beneficiaries
In re Warren (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-050-16, 6 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: Where respondent (1) misappropriated more than $171,392 from trusts for which he was the trustee, (2) converted client funds for his personal use, (3) failed to perform work for which he had been paid, (4) failed to return unearned fees, […]
Attorneys – Discipline – Public Reprimand – Inactive Member – Criminal Charges – Representing Client While Suspended
In re Herlong (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-039-16, 5 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: The retired, inactive and now-sober respondent-lawyer admits that he violated multiple rules when he committed drug-related felonies, multiple misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. He also admits that he violated multiple rules when, while his license was suspended, he represented a juvenile […]
Attorneys – Discipline – Disbarment – Lack of Diligence – Dishonesty
In re Stockholm (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-029-16, 5 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: In several matters, respondent failed to pursue litigation for his clients as promised, falsely told his clients that their claims had been settled, and paid or planned to pay them their “settlements” from his own funds. In doing so, respondent […]
Attorneys — Discipline – Definite Suspension – Communication Failures – Payment Delays
In re Sample (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-009-16, 11 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: Although some of the disciplinary complaints against the respondent-attorney turned out to be baseless, he nevertheless violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.1(b) when he failed to respond to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel’s notices of investigation. We accept the agreement […]
Attorneys – Discipline – Disbarment – Client Funds – Practice Closure
In re Cutchin (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-049-15, 7 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: Where respondent (1) fraudulently deposited client funds into his operating account, (2) misappropriated client funds and failed to return their documents, (3) failed to provide representation he had promised, (4) abandoned his practice without proper closure, (5) has not cooperated […]
Attorneys — Discipline – Public Reprimand – Trust Account Irregularities
In re Pennington (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-032-15, 4 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: Even though respondent failed to keep adequate financial records and disbursed money to beneficiary John Doe from her own trust account before transferring money from John Doe’s trust account to her own – thus utilizing money belonging to other clients […]
Coastal lawyer fined for website ‘puffery’
When the South Carolina Supreme Court caught wind of possible false advertising on Michael Hensley Wells' website, the Conway attorney sprang into action. He scrubbed the offending lines from the site and pulled a bevy of firm brochures and business cards available at a mall kiosk. But for Wells, the founder of the Coastal Law firm, the damage had been done.
Business Law
- Economy forces attorneys to get down to business
- Business Court judges trawl for customers
- Va. company's Web site did not subject business to personal jurisdiction in S.C., appeals panel rules
- Former running back from S.C. wins courtroom victory in contract dispute
- Contract – Government Contract – Qui Tam – False Claims Act
- Licenses & Permits – Beer & Wine Permit – Restrictive Covenant – Suitable Location
- Consumer Protection – FCRA – Auto Loan – Bank Accounting Errors
- Licenses & Permits – Veterinarian – Vaccine Maintenance
- Tort – Business Tort – Va. Computer Crimes Act – Trade Secrets
- Textile firm, railroad settle Graniteville train wreck lawsuit
- State regulators look at car dealer accused of lying to customers
- Subprime mortgage meltdown hits securities law
Commentary
- Virginia Tech student got due process in hearing
- High court justices cross the line of propriety
- High court’s term was rough on big business
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Letter From The Editor – Working from Home
- NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes
- Supreme Court leaves key internet protection untouched
- US Supreme Court bites back at parody’s use of the First Amendment
- My goal: Provide the information that you need now
- Case study: North Carolina courts provide guidance on scope, limitations of attorney-client privilege
- A Different Ode to Pro Bono Work
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