In re Rivers , 408 S.C. 137 ( 2012 )

ORDER

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel asks this Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(b) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE) contained in Rule.413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (SCACR). The petition also seeks appointment of an attorney to protect the interests of respondent’s clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. Respondent consents to being placed on interim suspension and to the appointment of an attorney to protect his clients’ interests.

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

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Nicholas W. Lewis, 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. Lewis shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Lewis may make disbursements from respondent’s trust account(s), escrow account(s), 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 Nicholas W. Lewis, 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 Nicholas W. Lewis, 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. Lewis’ office.

Mr. Lewis’ appointment shall be for a period of no longer than nine months unless an extension of the period of appointment is requested.

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

FOR THE COURT