The Title Is Disbarred

The South Carolina Supreme Court disbarred an attorney for misconduct in several matters

Respondent’s law practice included conducting residential real estate loan closings. In 2007, Chicago Title Company (Chicago Title) canceled respondent’s title agency. From that point, respondent had approved attorney status and issued title commitments and polices through the title agency of his father who is a lawyer. In 2011, when Chicago Title learned of irregularities in some of respondent’s closings, it canceled respondent’s approved attorney status. From 2011 until his interim suspension in 2013, respondent continued to issue title commitments and policies using the Chicago Title name. Respondent altered Chicago Title’s form documents to make it appear as though the company was issuing policies on his closings. At his closings, respondent also collected funds for the purpose of paying title insurance premiums, which he never paid. Respondent’s misconduct left lenders and owners without title insurance and some lenders and owners sustained losses as a result of respondent’s misappropriation of funds.

The order recites a large number of resulting misappropriations, accepts his consent to disbarment and orders payment of restitution. (Mike Frisch)