In the Matter of Jonathan L. B. Davis

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent and suspended Jonathan L. B. Davis from practicing law for one year, retroactive to his interim suspension. The court found violations involving incompetent and inadequate bankruptcy representation, mishandling of client funds, failure to comply with court orders, and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities.

Holdings

1. Respondent's admitted conduct violated Rules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(a), 1.15(c), 3.4(c), 8.1(b), 8.4(a), and 8.4(e) of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and constituted grounds for discipline under Rule 7(a)(1) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
2. The court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent and imposed a definite one-year suspension from the practice of law in South Carolina, retroactive to respondent's September 7, 2017 interim suspension.
3. Respondent was required to pay the costs of the investigation and prosecution within thirty days, file an affidavit showing compliance with Rule 30 within fifteen days, and demonstrate compliance with Rule 33, including completion of the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Ethics School, before seeking reinstatement.

Questions Presented

1. Whether respondent's admitted conduct violated the specified Rules of Professional Conduct and Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
2. Whether the admitted misconduct warranted a definite suspension from the practice of law.
3. Whether the Agreement for Discipline by Consent should be accepted.

Disposition

other