Repayment Does Not Prevent Disbarment

The South Carolina Supreme Court has disbarred an attorney who had used entrusted funds to keep his firm afloat despite full repayment

Respondent admits he transferred money from his trust account to cover payroll and operating expenses for his law firm from November 30, 2017, to July 13, 2018, in the total amount of $95,981.46. Respondent acknowledges he was using client money to keep his law firm afloat and states he always intended to repay the money. Respondent began to repay the trust account on June 26, 2018, and completely repaid the account on September 30, 2018. The trust account has been reconciled, and all monies are accounted for. Respondent has turned over all accounting and bookkeeping functions to a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has given all trust account responsibilities to another lawyer in the firm. Respondent has also completed the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Ethics School, Trust Account School, and Advertising School.

(Mike Frisch)