Case Name: In the Matter of Philip Earle WILLIAMS, Respondent
Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 2013-03-15
Citations: 403 S.C. 362
Docket Number: Appellate Case No. 2013-000521; No. 2013-000521
Parties: In the Matter of Philip Earle WILLIAMS, Respondent.
Judges: /s/Costa M. Pleicones, J.
Reporter: South Carolina Reports
Volume: 403
Pages: 362–363

Head Matter:
743 S.E.2d 733
In the Matter of Philip Earle WILLIAMS, Respondent.
Appellate Case No. 2013-000521.
No. 2013-000521.
Supreme Court of South Carolina.
March 15, 2013.

Opinion:
ORDER
COSTA M. PLEICONES, J.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel asks this Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(b) and (c) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE) contained in Rule 413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (SCACR). The petition also seeks appointment of an attorney to protect the interests of respondent's clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. Respondent has filed a return asking that the suspension be postponed, stating he is "in the process" of providing the subpoenaed documents.
IT IS ORDERED that respondent's license to practice law in this state is suspended until further order of this Court.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Stephen G. Potts, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for respondent's client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain. Mr. Potts shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent's clients. Mr. Potts may make disbursements from respondent's trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.
This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating accounts) of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Stephen G. Potts, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.
Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that Stephen G. Potts, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent's mail and the authority to direct that respondent's mail be delivered to Mr. Potts' office.
Mr. Potts' appointment shall be for a period of no longer than nine months unless an extension of the period of appointment is requested.
/s/Costa M. Pleicones, J.