In re Bennett

539 S.E.2d 387, 342 S.C. 625, 2000 S.C. LEXIS 208

• Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
• Decided: October 17, 2000
• Status: Published

Opinion

ORDER

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking this Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(b), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, and seeking the appointment of an attorney pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. Respondent consents to the relief sought by Disciplinary Counsel.

IT IS ORDERED that respondent’s license to practice law in this State is suspended until further order of the Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that David J. Gundling, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for respondent’s client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain. Mr. Gundling shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Gundling may make disbursements from respondent’s trust account(s), escrow accounts), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.

This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating accounts of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the aceount(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that David J. Gundling, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that David J. Gundling, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent’s mail and the authority to direct that respondent’s mail be delivered to Mr. Gundling’s office.

/s/ Jean H. Toal, C.J.

FOR THE COURT