Untimely Payment For Services

The South Carolina Supreme Court has imposed a definite suspension of nine months for, among other things, the attorney’s failure to timely honor his agreement to pay a court reporting service.

Respondent acquired the services of a videographer for a deposition. Following the deposition, Respondent received the video deposition and an invoice. After failing to receive payment for almost two years, the videographer emailed Respondent about the outstanding payment. Two months later, Respondent sent a check for the payment of the deposition and an additional $100.00 for the delay in payment and inconvenience…

Respondent used the services of a court reporting service for two depositions. He was invoiced for both depositions at the time the transcripts were delivered. Several months later, the court reporting service requested payment of the depositions and asked to be paid within the week. The next month, the court reporting service sent a certified letter requesting payment for both depositions. In response to the certified letter, Respondent made a partial payment towards the outstanding balance. One month later, the court reporting service sent a letter seeking the remainder of Respondent’s balance. Eight months passed with no response and the court reporting service sent an email seeking payment. Respondent later issued a check for the payment of the outstanding invoice.

 He had also failed to cooperate and had a record of prior sanctions of ” for a myriad of matters. ” (Mike Frisch)