Opinion ID: 1282584
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failure to Cooperate/Abandonment/Improper Withdrawal/Bad Check

Text: The Board has made several attempts to contact respondent at various addresses and by telephone, but to no avail. A Special Investigator with the Board, Mr. Tansil, located respondent in Florida. Respondent agreed to meet Mr. Tansil in Greenville to discuss the Complaints. Mr. Tansil also planned to serve respondent with a subpoena for client files and financial records. Respondent did not show up and did not contact Mr. Tansil to explain his absence. Respondent gave his former landlady a check for rent drawn on insufficient funds and owes her $300. Respondent has not informed clients of his move to Florida and has not returned files and monies due them. The Florida Bar has been unsuccessful in obtaining client files from respondent. Respondent has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 407, SCACR, the Rule on Disciplinary Procedure, Rule 413, SCACR, and the Oath of Office. Respondent has appropriated client's funds to his own use; failed to deliver promptly to a client or third party, funds that the client or third party was entitled to receive; failed to render promptly a full accounting regarding property of the client or third party; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information; terminated representation without taking steps to protect client interests, including but not limited to failing to give notice, failing to return papers, property and money; failed to cooperate with investigations of the Board; engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; engaged in conduct tending to pollute the administration of justice or to bring the courts or legal profession into disrepute and engaged in conduct demonstrating unfitness to practice law. Given the seriousness of the misconduct deemed admitted and his failure to cooperate, respondent's conduct warrants disbarment. See Matter of Hall, ___ S.C. ___, 455 S.E.2d 696 (1995); Matter of Gibbes, ___ S.C. ___, 450 S.E.2d 588 (1994); Matter of Ackerman, 313 S.C. 380, 438 S.E.2d 229 (1993); Matter of Bosserman, 298 S.C. 198, 379 S.E.2d 130 (1989) (disbarred for misappropriation of funds and other matters). See also Matter of Garcia, ___ S.C. ___, 460 S.E.2d 397 (1995) (disbarred for multiple acts of misconduct including failure to respond to the Board and the Court and lack of indication of desire to continue to practice law in this State). 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. Further, we hold respondent in contempt for failure to return client files to the Board in compliance with the order of June 28, 1995, and failure to file an affidavit of compliance pursuant to Paragraph 30, Rule 413, SCACR. DISBARRED.