In the Matter of Samuel Robert Drose

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted an attorney's Agreement for Discipline by Consent and imposed a three-year definite suspension, retroactive to his interim suspension. The discipline arose from misuse of client settlement funds, related trust-account violations, and criminal conduct involving a controlled substance. The court also imposed repayment, education, monitoring, and post-suspension compliance requirements.

Holdings

1. The court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent after determining that Drose's admitted misconduct warranted discipline.
2. Drose was suspended from the practice of law in South Carolina for three years, retroactive to the date of his interim suspension.
3. Drose was required to repay $26,437.32 to the Lawyers' Fund or enter into a reasonable repayment plan within thirty days, comply with reinstatement requirements including specified ethics and trust-account courses, enter a two-year monitoring contract upon reinstatement, and file an affidavit concerning post-suspension duties within fifteen days.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Agreement for Discipline by Consent should be accepted.
2. What professional-discipline sanction should be imposed for Drose's admitted misconduct.
3. What conditions should govern Drose's potential reinstatement and repayment obligations.

Disposition

other