In the Matter of Tasha Jean Kotz

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent and suspended attorney Tasha Jean Kotz from practicing law for six months. The misconduct involved misrepresentations concerning COVID-19 continuances, disclosure of confidential client information on Facebook, and submission of an improperly signed and notarized affidavit in a family court matter. The Court also imposed costs, notarization-training requirements, office staff training, and eight additional continuing legal education hours.

Holdings

1. The Court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent after considering Respondent's admitted misconduct and the mitigating circumstances.
2. A definite suspension from the practice of law for six months was an adequate sanction for Respondent's misconduct.
3. Respondent was required to pay disciplinary costs, complete specified notarization and continuing-legal-education training, implement a written law-office notarization training program, hold annual employee reviews concerning notarization, and file an affidavit demonstrating compliance with Rule 30.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court should accept Respondent's Agreement for Discipline by Consent.
2. What sanction should be imposed for Respondent's admitted violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
3. What remedial, educational, cost-payment, and compliance conditions should accompany the disciplinary sanction.

Disposition

other