Opinion ID: 1634162
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Thompson failed to safeguard client property and/or improperly disclosed confidential client information.

Text: ¶ 15. The complaint tribunal found that Thompson failed to adequately safeguard client property by losing or misplacing client files. ¶ 16. Rule 1.15 requires lawyers to hold the property of others with the care required of a professional fiduciary. M.R.P.C. 1.15, cmt. The loss of client files constitutes a violation of Rule 1.15. In re Craig, 344 S.C. 646, 648-51, 545 S.E.2d 823 (2001); In re Evans, 175 Ariz. 404, 406, 857 P.2d 1258 (1993). ¶ 17. Thompson admitted to losing client files that she had placed in an Oxford storage unit. Although Thompson said that she returned important documents to clients most times, she could not say that she had done so every time. ¶ 18. We find that Thompson violated Rule 1.15.
¶ 19. The complaint tribunal found that Thompson did not violate Rule 1.6 because there was no proof that she divulged any confidential client information. With certain exceptions, Rule 1.6 generally prohibits the disclosure of information relating to the representation of a client, absent the client's informed consent. M.R.P.C. 1.6. ¶ 20. While Thompson admitted to losing the client files in Oxford, there is no evidence that any of those files were divulged. Likewise, there is no evidence that any of the client files from her Tunica office were disclosed. ¶ 21. We find that there is insufficient evidence to show that Thompson violated Rule 1.6.