Date
Discipline Imposed
Description
5/13/2015
Suspended
The attorney was interimly and summarily suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama pursuant to Rule 8(c) & (e), and 20(a), Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure,…
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Date: 5/13/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was interimly and summarily suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama pursuant to Rule 8(c) & (e), and 20(a), Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, by order of the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar effective May 13, 2015. The order of the Disciplinary Commission was based on a petition filed by the Office of General Counsel evidencing that the attorney’s continuing conduct was causing or likely to cause immediate and serious injury to a client or to the public, and that he failed to respond to requests for information from the disciplinary authority during the course of a disciplinary investigation.
4/22/2015
Disbarred
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama, effective April 22, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s Order…
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Date: 4/22/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama, effective April 22, 2015. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s Order accepting the attorney’s Consent to Disbarment based upon allegations he misappropriated client funds. Prior to disbarment, the attorney was summarily and interimly suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama, effective April 22, 2015. The Disciplinary Commission entered an Order finding that probable cause existed that the attorney had misappropriated client funds, provided false information regarding
client funds, collected fees from clients without providing any meaningful services, and borrowed money from his clients, thus causing, or likely to cause, immediate and serious injury to a client and to the public.
4/17/2015
Private Reprimand
An attorney received a private reprimand on April 17, 2015, for violating Rule 1.4, Ala. R. Prof. C. In or about July of 2013, the complainant hired the respondent attorney…
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Date: 4/17/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
An attorney received a private reprimand on April 17, 2015, for violating Rule 1.4, Ala. R. Prof. C. In or about July of 2013, the complainant hired the respondent attorney to represent her and her husband in a bankruptcy matter. During the pendency of this matter the respondent attorney failed to keep his clients reasonably informed as to the status of the matter which he was entrusted to properly handle.
4/16/2015
Private Reprimand
An attorney received a private reprimand on April 16, 2015, for violating Rules 1.1 and 8.4(a), (d), and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. In or about July of 2014, the…
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Date: 4/16/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
An attorney received a private reprimand on April 16, 2015, for violating Rules 1.1 and 8.4(a), (d), and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. In or about July of 2014, the respondent attorney notified the Office of General Counsel that she was instructed by a Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama, to cease and desist her practice of preparing Chapter 13 plans for clients’ signatures and making changes later as needed but failing to obtain new client signatures.
4/15/2015
Private Reprimand
On April 15, 2015, the Disciplinary Commission ordered that the attorney issued a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.4(a) and (b), and 1.5(a) and (b), Ala. R. Prof. C. The…
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Date: 4/15/2015
Discipline Imposed: Private Reprimand
Description:
On April 15, 2015, the Disciplinary Commission ordered that the attorney issued a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.4(a) and (b), and 1.5(a) and (b), Ala. R. Prof. C. The attorney represented several clients in their divorce cases where she utilized a fee contract that did not clearly outline when additional fees would be required beyond the initial fee paid by the client. As a result, the client was improperly charged additional fees or was overcharged by the attorney’s law firm during the course of the representation.
4/15/2015
Disbarred
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law effective April 15, 2015, by Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama. On April 15, 2015, the Disciplinary Board of the…
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Date: 4/15/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
The attorney was disbarred from the practice of law effective April 15, 2015, by Order of the Supreme Court of Alabama. On April 15, 2015, the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar, Panel I, entered an order accepting the Consent to Disbarment submitted by the attorney pursuant to Rule 23, Ala. R. Disc. P. The attorney’s consent to disbarment was based on his misappropriation of client funds from his IOLTA account as well as his failure to respond to a Bar disciplinary matter, in violation of Rules 1.15(a), 8.1(b), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(g), Ala. R. Prof. C.
4/3/2015
Disbarred
Rule 25(a) Reciprocal Discipline - An attorney, licensed in Alabama and another state, was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme…
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Date: 4/3/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
Rule 25(a) Reciprocal Discipline - An attorney, licensed in Alabama and another state, was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective April 3, 2015. The Court’s order was based upon the Alabama State Bar Disciplinary Board’s order disbarring the attorney. On January 15, 2015, pursuant to Rule 25, Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, the Office of General Counsel of the Alabama State Bar filed a Notice with the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar demonstrating that on October 31, 2014, the Supreme Court of another State had permanently revoked the law license of the attorney. According to the Order of the Supreme Court of the other State, the revocation of the attorney’s law license in that State was tantamount to disbarment. The Supreme Court of the other State’s Order was based upon a Petition for Disciplinary Revocation that had been submitted by the attorney in which she admitted to numerous violations of the other State's Rules of Professional Conduct.
4/1/2015
Disbarred
Rule 23(a) Consent to Disbarment - An attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective April…
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Date: 4/1/2015
Discipline Imposed: Disbarred
Description:
Rule 23(a) Consent to Disbarment - An attorney was disbarred from the practice of law in
the State of Alabama by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective April 1, 2015.
The attorney consented to disbarment based upon allegations that he misappropriated client funds and fraudulently represented that his clients had signed settlement agreements when, in fact, they had not signed the agreements.
3/13/2015
Public Reprimand Without Publication
On 03/13/15, the attorney received a public reprimand w/out general publication for violations of Rules 3.3(a)(1), 4.1(a) , and 8.4(a), (c), (d), & (g), Ala R.Prof C., as previously ordered…
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Date: 3/13/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand Without Publication
Description:
On 03/13/15, the attorney received a public reprimand w/out general publication for violations of Rules 3.3(a)(1), 4.1(a) , and 8.4(a), (c), (d), & (g), Ala R.Prof C., as previously ordered by the Disciplinary Commission. In February of 2014, the attorney was appointed to represent a client on criminal charges. On or about 4/3/2014, the attorney presented a plea agreement to the presiding judge providing that the client would be sentenced to eight years with the Department of Corrections. The plea agreement was silent as to whether the client would be required to go to the penitentiary or would be given an alternative sentence. In an “off the record” conversation before entering the plea, the attorney represented to the court that the assigned Assistant D.A. had agreed that the client could serve his sentence in the Community Corrections Program. At the time, the assigned Assistant D.A. was handling other criminal matters in another courtroom and therefore, unable to be present for the plea. Instead, another Assistant D.A. handled the plea. Based upon the attorney’s representation to the court, the judge accepted the plea and sentenced the client to community corrections. Shortly thereafter, the assigned Assistant D.A. appeared and informed the judge that he had not agreed to community corrections and that was not part of the plea agreement. When the judge asked the attorney why she had made a false representation to the court, she responded that she did not believe she was required to “do the prosecuter's job."
3/13/2015
Public Reprimand Without Publication
On March 13, 2015, the attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violations of Rules 1.1 [Competence], 1.3 [Diligence], 1.4(a) and (b) [Communication], 1.16(d) [Declining or Terminating Representation],…
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Date: 3/13/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand Without Publication
Description:
On March 13, 2015, the attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violations of Rules 1.1 [Competence], 1.3 [Diligence], 1.4(a) and (b) [Communication], 1.16(d) [Declining or Terminating Representation], and 8.4(a) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, as previously ordered by the Disciplinary Commission. In May of 2012, the attorney was retained to defend a client and his companies in a 1981 action. The attorney failed to file his Witness and Exhibit list prior to the discovery deadline. Instead, the attorney filed a Motion to Continue Trial Date and Motion to Withdraw because he had recently been appointed as an Assistant D.A. The court denied the attorney's motion and ordered the attorney to continue representing the defendants. The attorney then filed a Motion to Reconsider. The court granted the motion pending the filing of a notice of appearance by new counsel. The court ordered the attorney to continue as “counsel of record” until appearance of new counsel. Thereafter, the attorney failed to take the deposition of the plaintiff, failed to file any dispositive motions, and failed to file a Witness and Exhibit List as required.
3/13/2015
Public Reprimand Without Publication
On 03/13/15, the attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 3.2 and 8.4(a) & (g) , Ala. R. Prof C., as previously…
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Date: 3/13/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand Without Publication
Description:
On 03/13/15, the attorney received a public reprimand without general publication for violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 3.2 and 8.4(a) & (g) , Ala. R. Prof C., as previously ordered by the Disciplinary Commission. In January of 2013, the attorney represented a client in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding and a divorce. The attorney was paid $1,000.00 to represent the client in the bankruptcy matter and $1,000.00 to represent the client in the divorce. On April 8, 2013, the attorney filed the Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. After the filing of the petition, the court issued numerous notices advising the attorney that documents were missing or that the filed documents were deficient. Despite these notices, the attorney failed to take corrective action on behalf of the client. As a result, the client’s bankruptcy petition was dismissed on or about June 11, 2013. The attorney also failed to file a divorce petition on behalf of the client. The attorney has been ordered to refund the complainant the fee of $2,000.00 and attend a CLE on professional responsibility within six months of the reprimand.
3/13/2015
Public Reprimand With Publication
On November 18 2014, the Disciplinary Commission determined the attorney should receive a public reprimand with general publication for violating Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.16(d) and 8.4(d) and (g), Ala.…
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Date: 3/13/2015
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
On November 18 2014, the Disciplinary Commission determined the attorney should receive a public reprimand with general publication for violating Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.16(d) and 8.4(d) and (g), Ala. R. Prof C. In 2007, the attorney was retained by a client to represent her in a rule nisi hearing wherein the attorney failed to complete the work necessary for the hearing, failed to appear at the hearing, and failed to communicate with the client. Moreover, the attorney admitted he failed to properly terminate his representation with the client which precluded her from having sufficient time to retain new counsel. Finally, the attorney admitted he abandoned the client’s case.
2/23/2015
Suspended
The attorney was summarily suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, pursuant to Rules 20(a)(2)(i)…
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Date: 2/23/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was summarily suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama by order of the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, pursuant to Rules 20(a)(2)(i) and 8(e), Ala. R. Disc. P., effective February 23, 2015. The Disciplinary Commission’s order was based on a petition filed by the Office of General Counsel evidencing that the attorney failed to respond to requests for information during the course of a disciplinary investigation. On or about March 5, 2015, after responding to the Bar’s request for information, the attorney filed a Petition to Dissolve Summary Suspension. On March 6, 2015, the Disciplinary Commission granted the attorney’s request that the summary suspension be dissolved and entered an order to that effect.
2/23/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in Alabama for a period of three years by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama effective February 23, 2015. The…
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Date: 2/23/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in Alabama for a period of three years by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama effective February 23, 2015. The attorney pleaded guilty to violations of Rules 8.4(a), 8.4(d), and 8.4(g), Ala. R. Prof. C., and a hearing was held before Panel I of the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar to determine what discipline would be imposed. The Alabama Supreme Court entered its order based upon the January 27, 2015, Report and Order by the Board which ordered a three-year suspension. The facts upon which the discipline imposed by the Board are as follows: in 2009, while the attorney was serving as an Assistant District Attorney, he engaged in multiple graphic sexual conversations both online and via telephone with females assumed to be minors. One of the persons with whom the attorney engaged in these graphic sexual conversations was an undercover FBI agent. The attorney was prosecuted criminally but the circuit court issued an order both dismissing the charges and granting the attorney’s motion for acquittal.
2/11/2015
Suspended
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of 180 days effective May 7, 2014, the imposition of which was deferred…
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Date: 2/11/2015
Discipline Imposed: Suspended
Description:
The attorney was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of 180 days effective May 7, 2014, the imposition of which was deferred pending a two-year probationary period and payment of restitution to the complainants. On May 7, 2014, the Disciplinary Commission accepted the attorney's Conditional Guilty Plea to violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(a) and (e) and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C. In one case, the attorney admitted that he failed to keep his client informed about the status of its case, and failed to retain the unearned portion of the retainer in his trust account, violations of Rules 1.4 and 1.15(a) and (e), Ala. R. Prof. C. In another case, the attorney admitted that he miscalculated the statute of limitations in a case, resulting in the loss of his client’s claim, and failed to retain the unearned portion of the client’s retainer in his trust account, violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.15(a), and 8.4(a) and (g), Ala. R. Prof. C.