Opinion ID: 1297972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Investigation by Attorney General's Office

Text: Respondent contends the Attorney General's Office violated her rights to a fair hearing through improper investigation. Pursuant to ¶ 24(C), Rule 413, SCACR: No investigation or procedure shall be held to be invalid by reason of any nonprejudicial irregularity or for any error not resulting in the miscarriage of justice.... It is unnecessary for us to decide whether the investigation was improper because respondent has not pointed to any prejudice. We find respondent violated Rule 407, SCACR, by committing the following misconduct: dishonesty, deceit, and misrepresentation regarding the billing of several of her clients (Rule 8.4(d)); lack of candor toward a tribunal (Rules 3.3(a)(1) and 8.4(d)); billing time which respondent did not spend on a case (Rule 1.5(a)(1)); billing clients for services not actually rendered and overhead costs or increasing the costs (Rule 8.4(d)); destroying documents regarding the improper billing (Rules 8.4(d) and 8.4(e)); forging a signature on a satisfaction of judgment (Rule 8.4); misleading a family court judge (Rules 8.4(d) and 3.3); and improperly filing a hen for attorney's fees (Rules 3.4 and 8.4). [7] Respondent admits most of the conduct of which she is accused. However, she has explanations and excuses for her actions which she contends are not misconduct. We, however, find there is clear and convincing evidence to support the findings of misconduct. The purpose to be served by removing from the profession a person whose misconduct has proved him unfit to be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities belonging to the office of an attorney is to protect the public and those charged with the administration of justice. In the Matter of Baldwin, 278 S.C. 292, 294 S.E.2d 790, 791 (1982) (quoting In the Matter of Kennedy, 254 S.C. 463, 176 S.E.2d 125, 126 (1970)). It is our opinion that respondent's misconduct warrants disbarment. It is therefore ordered that respondent shall be disbarred from the practice of law in this state. Within fifteen days of the date of this opinion, respondent shall file an affidavit with the Clerk of Court showing that she has complied with Paragraph 30 of Rule 413, SCACR, and shall surrender her certificate of admission to the Clerk of Court. DISBARRED.