Date
Discipline Imposed
Description
9/11/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 11, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violation of Rule 8.4 (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney engaged in an unsolicited conversation with an…
Read more »
Date: 9/11/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 11, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violation of Rule 8.4 (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The respondent attorney engaged in an unsolicited conversation with an Alabama State Trooper in an County courtroom, calling him a “dog.” He also told the officer he was “the kind of cop to shoot first and ask questions later,” then warned the officer “he could end up shot.” When the officer asked the respondent attorney to leave his presence, he refused and stated “I think I will sit here and stare at you.” The officer interpreted the respondent attorney’s conduct as an attempt to intimidate him. The respondent attorney was subsequently arrested. The criminal case was dismissed.
9/4/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of ninety-one (91) days by Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective…
Read more »
Date: 9/4/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of ninety-one (91) days by Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective September 4, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s acceptance of the attorney’s Conditional Guilty Plea, wherein the attorney admitted to violations of Rules 1.8(l) and (m), and 8.4(d) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with a client, where he agreed to waive his legal fee in exchange for sexual favors.
9/4/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 4, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rule 1.5(a), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was an associate attorney with a law firm. During the…
Read more »
Date: 9/4/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 4, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rule 1.5(a), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was an associate attorney with a law firm. During the course of the attorney representing a client in a divorce, the client was overcharged by the firm.
9/4/2015
Private Reprimand
On September 4, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.16(d), and 8.1(b), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney represented a client in a civil…
Read more »
Date: 9/4/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On September 4, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand for violations of Rules 1.16(d), and 8.1(b), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney represented a client in a civil court matter. The client requested a copy of her file at the conclusion of the case. The attorney failed to provide the client with a copy of her file, resulting in the attorney being summarily suspended from the practice of law. The attorney subsequently mailed the file to the client and his summary suspension was dissolved.
9/2/2015
Disbarred
An Attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective September 2, 2015, pursuant to the order of the Disciplinary…
Read more »
Date: 9/2/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
An Attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective September 2, 2015, pursuant to the order of the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar. the attorney was found guilty of having violated Rules 1.2(a), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.5(b), 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(e), 1.15(f), 1.15(i), 1.15(n), 1.16(d), 5.3, 4.4, 7.2(c), 8.1(a), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(g), Ala. R. Prof. C. In 2013, one of the attorney’s employees pled guilty to embezzling from his trust account, law office account and personal accounts for a period lasting over two years. During this time, the attorney failed to review his bank statements, personally reconcile statements and/or perform a periodic accounting or audit of his bank accounts and failed to properly supervise his employees. The attorney also improperly split fees with a non-lawyer, paid a non-lawyer for referrals, and made false statements to the Bar.
8/26/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in Alabama for a period of two (2) years by order of the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar effective…
Read more »
Date: 8/26/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in Alabama for a period of two (2) years by order of the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar effective August 26, 2015. The suspension was ordered held in abeyance and the attorney was placed on probation for two years. The order of the Disciplinary Commission was based upon the attorney’s conditional guilty plea to violating Rules 1.3, 1.4(a), 3.2, 8.4(a) and 8.4(g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney admitted he failed to diligently represent his clients, failed to communicate with his clients, and failed to expedite litigation.
8/26/2015
Private Reprimand
On August 26, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand for violating Rule 8.4(d), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney served as a part-time municipal court judge for fifteen…
Read more »
Date: 8/26/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On August 26, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand for violating Rule 8.4(d), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney served as a part-time municipal court judge for fifteen jurisdictions for thirty-nine years. Beginning in 2005, two towns contracted with a company to provide supervisory and probation services over offenders placed on probation. The attorney did not participate in the hiring or retention of the company, but the attorney failed to adequately supervise the activities of the representatives of the company in his court and that of the magistrates acting as court clerks in the two towns. The attorney failed to adequately ensure that all Alabama Uniform Traffic Tickets and Complaints and all probation orders bearing his signature were completely and correctly filled out and accurately memorialized his findings and orders.
8/19/2015
Disbarred
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective August 19, 2015. The Supreme Court entered…
Read more »
Date: 8/19/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective August 19, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Board’s order disbarring the attorney. The attorney was found guilty of violating Rules 1.4(a) and (b), 1.16(a) and (d), 3.4(c), 5.5(a)(1), 8.1(b) and 8.4(a), (c), and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was hired to represent a complainant on a criminal matter. Shortly thereafter, the attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama on October 15, 2012, for failing to certify his IOLTA account. The attorney failed to inform the complainant that he had been suspended and continued to represent the complaint through the complainant’s indictment on September 20, 2013. In addition, the attorney asked the complainant to lie to the court regarding his representation. The complainant rejected the attorney’s instructions and informed the court that he had hired the attorney. The complainant later requested from the attorney a refund of the unearned portion of the $5,000.00 fee that was paid, of which the complainant stated the attorney agreed to refund the entire fee. Subsequently, the attorney failed to refund the fee and failed to return any of the complainant’s phone calls.
8/12/2015
Private Reprimand
On August 12, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rules 7.1(a), and 7.2(c), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was a managing partner in a firm which…
Read more »
Date: 8/12/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On August 12, 2015, the attorney received a private reprimand for violating Rules 7.1(a), and 7.2(c), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney was a managing partner in a firm which engaged in local advertising campaigns where the firm paid another attorney and/or law firm to advertise for cases which were to then be referred back to the firm. The advertisements did not include the firm’s name, as required by the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.
7/28/2015
Private Reprimand
The attorney received a private reprimand on July 28, 2015, for violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and 1.4(b), Ala. R. Prof. C. Sometime in 2002, the complainant hired the respondent…
Read more »
Date: 7/28/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
The attorney received a private reprimand on July 28, 2015, for violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and 1.4(b), Ala. R. Prof. C. Sometime in 2002, the complainant hired the respondent attorney to represent her in a land dispute. During the pendency of this matter, the circuit court issued an order on July 15, 2009, stating the matter would be dismissed if no action was taken in 30 days. The respondent attorney took no action and, as a result, the circuit court issued a subsequent order dismissing the case without prejudice.
7/8/2015
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…
Read more »
Date: 7/8/2015
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 July 8, 2015. The attorney consented to disbarment after admitting to engaging in a pattern of overbilling or fraudulently billing clients.
7/1/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of ninety-one (91) days by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective…
Read more »
Date: 7/1/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of ninety-one (91) days by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective July 1, 2015. On June 12, 2015, the Disciplinary Commission accepted the attorney’s Conditional Guilty Plea and ordered that he be suspended for violating Rules 1.5(c), 1.8(a), 3.3(a)(2), 3.4(c), 7.1, 7.4, 7.5, and 8.4(a), (d) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney issued settlement payments to clients in cash and failed to provide them with settlement statements outlining his fees and expenses. The attorney also obtained short-term cash loans from the clients without complying with Rule 1.8. In addition, the attorney made electronic and cash withdrawals from his trust accounts without maintaining adequate records. Additionally, the attorney’s firm name indicates more than one lawyer practices with the firm, when in fact, the attorney is the only member. Also, the attorney undertook representation of a client in a divorce case wherein the attorney took possession of a tractor belonging to both parties of the pending divorce. The attorney did not disclose to the court, the opposing party or opposing counsel, his knowledge of the whereabouts of the tractor.
5/26/2015
Private Reprimand
On May 26, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar for violations of Rules 1.3 [Diligence], and 5.3(c)(1) [Responsibilities Regarding…
Read more »
Date: 5/26/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On May 26, 2015, the attorney was issued a private reprimand by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar for violations of Rules 1.3 [Diligence], and 5.3(c)(1) [Responsibilities Regarding Non-Lawyer Assistants], Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney, along with his wife, who was also his legal assistant, met with a client in early September of 2013 to discuss a divorce from the client’s husband whom she had not seen in a number of years and to obtain custody of her children. The client spoke very little English, but the attorney’s wife spoke fluent Spanish and helped in the translation process. A fee of $1,200.00 was agreed upon and paid by the client. The divorce petition was not filed until June of 2014. In the interim, The attorney failed to adequately communicate with the client and instead relied upon his wife to communicate with the client. From that day forward, a number of issues arose and as of February 27, 2015, the client still did not have a divorce from her husband.
5/15/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama for a period of three (3) years, effective…
Read more »
Date: 5/15/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama for a period of three (3) years, effective May 15, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s acceptance of the attorney’s Conditional Guilty Plea, wherein the attorney admitted to forging a notary’s signature on settlement documents, without her knowledge or consent, and submitting those false documents to the court, thus violating Rules 3.3(a), 3.4(b) and (d), 8.1(a) and 8.4(a), (c), and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C.
5/15/2015
Suspended
The attorney was summarily and interimly suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama, effective May 15, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the…
Read more »
Date: 5/15/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was summarily and interimly suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama, effective May 15, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s Order finding probable cause existed that the attorney had failed to respond to a request for information concerning a disciplinary matter and was causing, or likely to cause, immediate and serious injury to a client and to the public.