Opinion ID: 1296747
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the kaminer matter

Text: Fullwood represented Louise Kaminer in an action against her ex-husband James Kaminer. The action concerned a voluntary transfer of custody of the Kaminers' daughter from Ms. Kaminer to Mr. Kaminer. The Kaminers wanted to file a consent order reflecting the transfer of custody and discontinuing any child support obligation by Mr. Kaminer. [4] Originally, Mr. Kaminer was not represented by counsel. Fullwood dragged his feet in preparing the necessary papers, and Mr. Kaminer eventually retained attorney Kirk Morgan. Morgan sent several letters to Fullwood requesting that he act. The action finally was filed on or around May 2, 1994, approximately five months after Morgan's first letter requesting that Fullwood file the necessary papers. The Consent Order was filed on July 19, 1994. Fullwood testified that for some time, no one gave him the $55 filing fee. However, Morgan forwarded this amount to Fullwood on or about January 20, 1994, yet Fullwood took no action whatsoever until at least late March. This episode (while still ongoing) came to the attention of the Commission on Grievances and Discipline, which sent Fullwood a letter requesting an explanation of the delay. Fullwood was delinquent in responding to the letter, and the Commission had to send him a second letter. Fullwood admitted this behavior in the Answer to the Complaint filed against him. He noted at the hearing, however, that he represented Ms. Kaminer pro bono, if he represented her at all. Fullwood failed to act with reasonable diligence in attending to the Kaminer matter, in violation of Rule 1.3, RPC. Respondent admits to several very serious acts of misconduct. Given the level of misconduct, disbarment is the only appropriate sanction. See, e.g., In re Abney, 316 S.C. 182, 447 S.E.2d 848 (1994) (disbarring attorney for, inter alia, converting settlement funds to his own use and failing to pay medical providers); In re Boyle, 316 S.C. 375, 450 S.E.2d 578 (1994) (disbarring attorney for misappropriation of client funds); In re Gibbes, ___ S.C. ___, 450 S.E.2d 588 (1994) (disbarring attorney for, inter alia, misappropriation and conversion of client funds); In re Ackerman, 313 S.C. 380, 438 S.E.2d 229 (1993) (disbarring attorney for, inter alia, misappropriation of client funds); In re Bowers, 303 S.C. 282, 400 S.E.2d 134 (1991) (disbarring attorney for conversion of client funds and improper use of client trust accounts); In re Bosserman, 298 S.C. 198, 379 S.E.2d 130 (1989) (disbarring attorney for, inter alia, misappropriation of client funds for own personal use); In re Lempesis, 293 S.C. 510, 362 S.E.2d 10 (1987) (disbarring attorney for, inter alia, forging signature on cheek and converting funds to his own use); In re Perry, 291 S.C. 124, 352 S.E.2d 479 (1987) (disbarring attorney for forging clients' signatures on checks and converting client funds to personal use). Although it is very clear that Fullwood was suffering from severe alcoholism and depression, such conditions do not excuse his misconduct. See, e.g., In re Lempesis, supra . The public must be protected from dishonest lawyers, whatever the cause of the dishonesty. Accordingly, we disbar respondent from the practice of law. Within fifteen days of the date of this opinion, respondent shall return his certificate of admission to practice law and file an affidavit with the Clerk of Court showing that he has complied with Paragraph 30 of Rule 413, SCACR. DISBARRED.