Date
Discipline Imposed
Description
10/30/2015
Public Reprimand With Publication
On October 30, 2015, the attorney received a public reprimand with general publication for violations of Rules 1.4(a) and (b), 5.4, and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. A…
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Date: 10/30/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
On October 30, 2015, the attorney received a public reprimand with general publication for violations of Rules 1.4(a) and (b), 5.4, and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. A resident of another state retained a company, to provide loan modification services. The company, a non-lawyer owned company, subsequently charged the complainant $3,600.00 to represent him in negotiations with his mortgage company. The company sent the complainant a number of documents that indicated that the attorney would be providing legal services during the loan modification process. After the company failed to provide any services to the complainant, the complainant’s home was foreclosed upon. The attorney denied ever agreeing to work for or with the company. However, the company was an off-shoot of another company, which was an off-shoot of a third company. The attorney had a relationship with both the second and third company whereby the attorney agreed to provide legal services to their clients. Despite the fact that the attorney was to act as local counsel for another state and Alabama clients, the attorney had very little contact, if any, with the clients. The attorney negligently allowed his status in another state and Alabama attorney to be used by these entities to defraud their customers and to collect fees in violation of federal law.
10/30/2015
Private Reprimand
October 30, 3015 an attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.8(a), 8.4(a) and 8.4[g], Ala. R. Prof., C., and ordered to pay a $750.00 administrative fee pursuant to…
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Date: 10/30/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
October 30, 3015 an attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.8(a), 8.4(a) and 8.4[g], Ala. R. Prof., C., and ordered to pay a $750.00 administrative fee pursuant to Rule 33(d)(9), Ala. R. Disc. P. In or about January 2011, the respondent attorney entered into an engagement agreement with a client for representation in an estate matter. Shortly thereafter, the respondent attorney borrowed money from the client. The respondent attorney failed to pay back the money he borrowed. In doing so, the respondent attorney failed to properly complete the steps required to enter into a business transaction with a client.
10/28/2015
Disbarred
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective…
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Date: 10/28/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective October 28, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based on the Disciplinary Board’s order accepting the attorney’s Consent to Disbarment, based upon allegations that the attorney mishandled client funds.
10/23/2015
Disbarred
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective…
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Date: 10/23/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective October 23, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based on the Disciplinary Board’s order accepting the attorney’s Consent to Disbarment, in which the attorney admitted to fraudulently issuing a title commitment and closing protection letter.
10/20/2015
Disbarred
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective…
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Date: 10/20/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
Rule 23(a) - Consent to Disbarment - The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective October 20, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based on the Disciplinary Board’s order accepting the attorney’s Consent to Disbarment, based upon allegations that the attorney misappropriated client funds.
10/7/2015
Private Reprimand
On October 7, 2015, an attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.4(a), 1.4(b), and 8.4(c), Ala. R. Prof. C., and was assessed a $750.00 administrative fee. On…
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Date: 10/7/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On October 7, 2015, an attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.4(a), 1.4(b), and 8.4(c), Ala. R. Prof. C., and was assessed a $750.00 administrative fee. On or about April 13, 2010, the respondent attorney entered into an engagement agreement with a client for representation in a criminal matter. The contract with the client contained an impermissible clause stating the retainer was not refundable.
9/29/2015
Suspended
By Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, the attorney was removed from disability inactive status, effective September 29, 2015 and the previous Rule 20 interim suspension reinstated, effective September…
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Date: 9/29/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
By Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, the attorney was removed from disability inactive status, effective September 29, 2015 and the previous Rule 20 interim suspension reinstated, effective September 29, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Board’s order finding that the attorney was not suffering from a disability that made it “impossible to adequately defend himself” on disciplinary charges.
9/18/2015
Public Reprimand Without Publication
The attorney received a public reprimand without general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 7.2(b) and 7.3, Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney sent a potential client a…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand Without Publication
Description:
The attorney received a public reprimand without general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 7.2(b) and 7.3, Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney sent a potential client a solicitation letter. The solicitation letter was not submitted to the Office of General Counsel of the Alabama State Bar prior to or at the time of dissemination as required. In addition, the solicitation letter failed to include as its first sentence the following statement, “If you have already hired or retained a lawyer in connection with, please disregard this letter”. The attorney also failed to comply with time limitations for the sending of solicitation letters.
9/18/2015
Public Reprimand With Publication
The attorney received a public reprimand with general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 7.1(a), 7.2(c), 7.3, and 8.4(a), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was a partner…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
The attorney received a public reprimand with general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 7.1(a), 7.2(c), 7.3, and 8.4(a), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was a partner in a law firm While a partner, the attorney unknowingly, but negligently participated in an improper solicitation scheme involving payment of “advanced referral fees” to two lawyers. These advanced referral fees were used by these lawyers to generate additional cases in violation of Rule 7.3, before the matters were referred to the attorney's firm. The attorney participated as a contact person at the firm, violating the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, through this improper solicitation. The attorney's law firm also paid other attorneys and/or law firms to advertise for cases with the understating that such cases were to be referred to the firm but the arrangement was not disclosed in the advertising conducted by the attorneys or firms enlisted by the attorney's law firm.
9/18/2015
Public Reprimand With Publication
An attorney licensed in another state, who is also licensed in the State of Alabama, received a public reprimand with general publication, after submitting a Conditional Guilty Plea, on September…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
An attorney licensed in another state, who is also licensed in the State of Alabama, received a public reprimand with general publication, after submitting a Conditional Guilty Plea, on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and (b), and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. In or around January 2007, the attorney was retained to represent clients on a bankruptcy matter. The attorney filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition for the clients. On April 20, 2011, the clients were discharged in the bankruptcy and believed all liens had been removed from their home. The attorney’s employment contract stated she would not be responsible for filing any motions to have judicial liens removed or voided. On August 20, 2013, the clients attempted to refinance their home and were informed that their home could not be refinanced because two liens had been filed against their home. The attorney failed to adequately explain to the clients that the Motions to Avoid Lien that she completed for two of the lienholder institutions were merely drafts for the clients’ use and that the attorney had not previously filed the motions on their behalf.
9/18/2015
Public Reprimand With Publication
The attorney received a public reprimand with general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and (b), 8.1(a), and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
The attorney received a public reprimand with general publication on September 18, 2015, for violating Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and (b), 8.1(a), and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was hired by a client and his wife to represent them in a car accident case. The attorney filed suit on their behalf in Chilton County on August 16, 2013, but the attorney was unable to obtain personal service of the defendant, resulting in the court issuing an order that the matter would be dismissed in thirty days if service upon the defendant was not had. The attorney failed to take any action in the matter and the court dismissed the matter with prejudice on January 30, 2014. The clients attempted to contact the attorney on multiple occasions, without success. The attorney’s secretary informed the clients on May 21, 2014, that the case was still pending, but the attorney failed to subsequently communicate with the clients. The attorney stated in his response to the Bar that the case was still pending and the clients would be contacted when discovery needed to be completed. In fact, the attorney did not disclose to the Bar that the case had been dismissed with prejudice, despite the fact that the attorney had filed a motion to have the case reinstated by the court the same day as his response to the Bar.
9/18/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 18, 2015, an attorney licensed in another state and also licensed in Alabama received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.3 [Diligence], 1.4 [Communication], 1.16 [Declining or…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 18, 2015, an attorney licensed in another state and also licensed in Alabama received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.3 [Diligence], 1.4 [Communication], 1.16 [Declining or Terminating Representation], and 8.4 (a) & (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney agreed to represent a client in an uncontested divorce for a “non-refundable” fee of $750.00. The attorney never filed the uncontested divorce and did not maintain communication with his client when he closed his Alabama office and moved to another state. Only after the client filed a bar complaint did the attorney refund the unearned portion of the fee.
9/18/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 18, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4, Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney was retained to represent a…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 18, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4, Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney was retained to represent a client who was injured while officiating a volleyball game at a public school. He did not reasonably communicate with his client regarding the status of the matter and failed to timely file a claim with the Board of Adjustment. The statute of limitations expired and his client lost the right to seek recovery for her injuries.
9/18/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 18, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney failed to reasonably…
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Date: 9/18/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 18, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney failed to reasonably communicate or respond to client’s attempts to contact for a status update. The respondent attorney also failed to diligently perform the task for which they were retained, the filing of a Petition for Visitation. Thereafter the respondent attorney failed to respond to the client’s Bar complaint despite multiple requests from the Office of General Counsel. Only after the respondent attorney was summarily suspended did the Bar receive a response to the complaint.
9/15/2015
Public Reprimand Without Publication
The attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violating Rules 1.9(a) and 8.4(g), Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney filed a Petition for Appointment of Conservator and…
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Date: 9/15/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand Without Publication
Description:
The attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violating Rules 1.9(a) and 8.4(g), Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney filed a Petition for Appointment of Conservator and Guardian ad Litem on behalf of a client seeking appointment as guardian over her father and conservator of his assets. The attorney was subsequently terminated by the client who was dissatisfied with the representation and perceived unwillingness by the attorney to take action on her behalf to preserve her father’s assets. After withdrawing from representation of his former client, the attorney undertook representation of the former client’s father in the same matter.