Opinion ID: 1718430
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Count II The Succession Matter

Text: When his wife's great aunt passed away, respondent was retained by her collateral heirs, who made a claim to her estate. Respondent negotiated settlements on behalf of the heirs, and in early 2003, he placed the funds into his client trust account for distribution to the heirs. Respondent converted $71,250 of the funds to his own use. Billie Sneed Apple, respondent's mother-in-law, subsequently loaned him $45,000 to repay a portion of this amount. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violated Rules 8.4(a) (violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct), 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer), and 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.