In re Welch

496 S.E.2d 855, 330 S.C. 7, 1998 S.C. LEXIS 40

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 has filed a return opposing the petition and seeking a hearing on the matter.

IT IS ORDERED that respondent’s license to practice law in this State is suspended until further order of the Court and respondent’s request for a hearing is denied.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Robert Curt Calamari, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for respondent’s client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating accounts(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain. Mr. Calamari shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Calamari may make disbursements from respondent’s trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating accounts(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 account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Robert Curt Calamari, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

/s/ Ernest A. Finney, Jr., C.J.

/s/ Jean H. Toal, J.

/a/ James E. Moore, J.

/s/ John H. Waller, Jr., J.

/s/ E.C. Burnett, III, J.