Opinion ID: 2502180
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Trust Account Counter Withdrawals and Checks Written to Cash

Text: Rule 417(b)(2), SCACR, requires that all withdrawals from an attorney's trust account be made either by a check payable to a named payee or by authorized bank transfer. Between February and April 2008, respondent withdrew $8,950.00 from his trust account by use of counter withdrawals and by checks made payable to cash. He took the funds believing he was entitled to the money as undisbursed legal fees, but was unable to prove his entitlement because he did not keep proper records, in violation of Rule 1.15(a), Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), Rule 407, SCACR, and Rule 417(a), SCACR. Respondent used the funds received for his own purposes, but replaced them with money taken from his operating account and from personal funds. For doing so, he was found to have violated Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(d), and 8.4(d), RPC.