Disciplinary History

On March 12, 2024, the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar issued an attorney a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.4 [Communication], 1.5 [Fees], and 1.15(b) [Safekeeping Property], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney was retained represent a client in a personal injury action. While waiting on an order regarding the client’s in forma pauperis status, the attorney allowed the statute of limitations to expire.

A Birmingham, Alabama attorney was issued a Private Reprimand by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar on March 8, 2024, for violating of Rules 1.5 [Fees], 1.15 [Safekeeping Property], 8.4(d), and 8.4(g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The pertinent facts are that an attorney received a six-figure settlement in a civil matter for a client who was incarcerated at the time the settlement funds were received by the attorney. The attorney deposited the settlement funds into an IOLTA account but failed to create an individual trust account for the use and benefit of the client which is pertinent when holding funds for a client for an extended period. The attorney failed to properly maintain a trust account ledger. The attorney failed to inform the client of the amount of attorney’s fees and expenses due to the attorney. The attorney also failed to immediately transfer the same into an operating account in violation of Rule 1.15, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. In further violation of Rule 1.15, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, the attorney routinely withdrew cash directly from the IOLTA account to provide funds to the client and, at the client’s request, to family members. Further, the actions and/or failures to act by the attorney were deemed violations of Rules 8.4(d), and 8.4(g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct

A San Diego, California attorney was issued a Private Reprimand by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar on January 19, 2024, for violating Rules 5.5 [Unauthorized Practice of Law], 8.4(d) and 8.4 (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The pertinent facts are that in April of 2023, the attorney filed a civil action for negligence and wantonness in a Circuit Court in Alabama. At the time the attorney filed the lawsuit, the attorney did not hold an active license to practice law in Alabama due to a failure to pay 2022 and 2023 annual dues and/or obtain the requisite annual CLE credits. Therefore, as the attorney was in inactive status, the filing of the civil action constituted the unauthorized practice of law.

On February 28, 2024, the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar issued an attorney a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.1 [Competence] and 1.15 [Safekeeping of Property], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney was retained to probate an estate. The client’s email address was spoofed, and fraudulent wiring instructions were sent to the attorney via the email address. The attorney unknowingly released the funds to a fraudulent bank account. The attorney did not verbally confirm the wiring instructions with the client.

On February 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Alabama issued an order accepting the voluntary surrender of Randy Allan Hames’ license to practice law in the State of Alabama, with an effective date of January 25, 2024.

On February 26, 2024, a Mobile, Alabama attorney was issued a private reprimand pursuant to Rule 12(d)(1), Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for violating Rules 1.8(l) [Conflicts of Interest: Prohibited Transactions] and 8.4(g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. While representing a client in a bankruptcy, the attorney made unwanted sexual advances towards the client.

Tuscaloosa attorney Thomas Matthew Jones was suspended from the practice of law in the State of Alabama for a period of one hundred eighty-one (181) days. Ninety (90) days to be served and the remaining ninety-one (91) days to be held in abeyance, followed by a two-year (2) probation effective February 9, 2024. The suspension was based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s acceptance of Jones’ Conditional Guilty Plea, wherein he pled guilty to violating Rules1.4[Communication], 1.7(b) [Conflict of Interest: General Rule], 1.16 [Declining or Terminating Representation] and 8.4(b) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.

Birmingham attorney James Marion Wooten was suspended from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year in the State of Alabama by the Supreme Court of Alabama, effective February 9, 2024. The Supreme Court entered its order based upon the Disciplinary Commission’s Order, wherein Wooten pled guilty to violating Rules 3.3(a) [Candor Toward the Tribunal], 3.4(c) [Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel], and 8.4(c), and (g) [Misconduct] Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. While suspended, Wooten provided legal advice and assistance to the attorney that inherited his cases.

On February 2, 2024, the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar issued an attorney a private reprimand for violating Rules 1.1 [Competence], 1.3 [Diligence], and 1.4 [Communication], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney was retained to represent a client in an immigration matter but failed to file necessary documentation with the Immigration Court. They attorney failed to file a motion to withdraw and did not respond to notices of deficiency sent by the court. As a result, a deportation order was entered against the client.

On January 10, 2024, the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar ordered an attorney dually licensed in Alabama and Mississippi to receive reciprocal discipline of a private reprimand for violating Rules 4.1 [Truthfulness in Statements to Others] and 4.4 [Respect for Rights of Third Persons], Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct. The Disciplinary Board ordered that the attorney receive the identical discipline as that imposed by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The attorney harassed and threatened the beneficiaries of the complainant’s estate leading to significant financial loss and failed to properly inform the beneficiaries of the distribution and sale of real and personal property.

On January 10, 2024, the Disciplinary Board of the Alabama State Bar ordered an attorney dually licensed in Alabama and Mississippi to receive reciprocal discipline of a private reprimand for violating Rules 4.1 [Truthfulness in Statements to Others] and 4.4 [Respect for Rights of Third Persons], Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct. The Disciplinary Board ordered that the attorney receive the identical discipline as that imposed by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The attorney harassed and threatened the beneficiaries of the complainant’s estate leading to significant financial loss and failed to properly inform the beneficiaries of the distribution and sale of real and personal property.

A Birmingham, Alabama attorney Louis James Willie, III received a public reprimand without general publication as ordered by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, on January 19, 2024, for violating Rules 1.3 [Diligence], 1.4 [Communication], 1.15 [Safekeeping Property], 8.1(a) [Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters] and 8.4(g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. Willie failed to keep the client informed about the status of his case and failed to place fees his trust account.

A Birmingham, Alabama attorney Daniel Houston Chambers received a public reprimand with general publication as ordered by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, on January 19, 2024 for violating Rules 3.1(a) [Meritorious Claims and Contentions], 3.3(a)(1) [Candor Toward the Tribunal], 3.4 [Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel], 4.4(b) [Respect for Rights of Third Persons], and 8.4(c) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The Disciplinary Commission determined the attorney obtained privileged communications between another lawyer and her client during a divorce proceeding. While representing a client in a divorce matter, the client obtained confidential and privileged emails between his wife and her attorney. The attorney failed to notify opposing counsel he had possession of the confidential and privileged emails. Instead, the attorney used these emails to shape his client’s litigation strategy and to gain an unfair advantage in the proceedings.

Hoover, Alabama attorney, Bradley James Latta was issued a public reprimand with general publication on January 19, 2024, as ordered by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, for violating Rules 1.3 [Diligence] 1.4 [Communication], 1.5 [Fees], 1.15 [Safekeeping Property], 3.3 [Candor Toward the Tribunal] and 8.4 (c), (d) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. Latta was hired to represent a client on a protection from abuse order entered against the client after the client’s ex-husband alleged the client assaulted their son. After the client paid a retainer fee of $1,500, Latta failed to take substantive action on the client’s behalf as promised and then attempted to bill for pleadings that were never filed. In addition, Latta deposited $1,500 retainer into his trust account and immediately removed the funds prior to earning the funds.