Disciplinary Actions Search
You can click here to search orders of the State Bar's Grievance Committee, the Disciplinary Hearing Commission, and state and federal courts in discipline and disabilty cases.
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From the Spring 2024 Journal
NOTE: More than 32,500 people are licensed to practice law in North Carolina. Some share the same or similar names. All discipline reports may be checked on the State Bar’s website at ncbar.gov/dhcorders.
Disbarments
Julia Olson-Boseman of Wilmington surrendered her law license and was disbarred by the State Bar Council at its January meeting. Boseman misappropriated entrusted funds, grossly abdicated her trust account management obligations, made misrepresentations to the State Bar during a grievance investigation, made a misrepresentation to the court, engaged in contempt of court, engaged in a conflict of interest, collected clearly excessive fees, and neglected a client.
Nathanael Pendley of Clemmons surrendered his law license and was disbarred by the State Bar Council at its January meeting. Pendley pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and make false statements to an agency of the federal government in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Jonathan Washburn of Wilmington surrendered his law license and was disbarred by the State Bar Council at its January meeting. Washburn misappropriated entrusted funds, grossly abdicated his trust account management obligations, made misrepresentations to financial institutions in connection with obtaining a residential mortgage, made misrepresentations to civil judgment creditors in sworn discovery responses, made misrepresentations under oath in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding, and made misrepresentations to the State Bar during a grievance investigation.
Dismissals
Frank Chut Jr., an assistant United States attorney in Greensboro, was before the DHC because he rejected proposed discipline from the Grievance Committee in favor of a hearing on the allegations. After a Grievance Review Panel reviewed the underlying grievance, Chut accepted the Grievance Committee’s disposition of the matter. As a result, the State Bar filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal of the DHC case.
Completed Grievance Review Panels
A Grievance Review Panel reviewed one matter on January 19. At its April 2024 meeting, the Grievance Committee will consider the Review Panel’s recommendation and determine the committee’s final disposition of the matter.
Interim Suspensions
The DHC entered an order placing Kevin L. Wingate of Raleigh on interim suspension based upon his convictions of criminal offenses showing professional unfitness: to wit, one count of First Degree Statutory Sexual Offense, a Class B1 felony, and four counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child, a Class F felony. Wingate did not respond to the State Bar’s petition seeking interim suspension of his license to practice law or otherwise contest entry of the order by the DHC.
Censures
Peter Henry of Arden was censured by the Grievance Committee. Henry did not respond to client inquiries, failed to provide the client with an accounting of entrusted funds provided to him as an advance deposit for hourly fees, and failed to perform additional legal work after agreeing to do so.
Rita Henry of Raleigh was censured by the Grievance Committee. In multiple client matters, Henry failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters, failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information, failed to explain matters to the extent reasonably necessary to permit clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation, failed to withdraw from representing clients when it became apparent her ability to represent them was materially impaired, and failed to participate in the fee dispute resolution program.
Reprimands
Adam McBroom of Charlotte was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee for failure to timely respond to a Letter of Notice regarding a grievance investigation.
Daniel Ryan Moose of Raleigh was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee. Moose failed to act with reasonable diligence or adequately communicate with an incarcerated client. Despite being on notice that the client had severe mental health issues potentially warranting a capacity evaluation, Moose did not visit or otherwise communicate with the client, resulting in multiple continuances and delay.
Completed Petitions for Reinstatement/Stay – Uncontested
Lloyd T. Kelso of Gastonia was suspended by the DHC for one year beginning December 2022 for trust account mismanagement and attempt to have sex with a client. The Office of Counsel consented to his reinstatement, which will be subject to certain conditions for one year after he resumes practicing.
Kelly R. Routh of Charlotte diverted to herself a cash payment of a fee to which her law firm employer was entitled. In November 2022 the DHC suspended Routh for five years but allowed her to apply for a stay after serving one year of active suspension and complying with various conditions. The Office of Counsel consented to a DHC order staying Routh’s suspension.
Notice of Intent to Seek Reinstatement
In the Matter of Mildred A. Akachukwu
Notice is hereby given that Mildred A. Akachukwu of Durham, NC, intends to file a Petition for Reinstatement before the Disciplinary Hearing Commission of The North Carolina State Bar. Mrs. Akachukwu was disbarred effective January 12, 2011, by the Disciplinary Hearing Commission for misappropriating client funds.
Individuals who wish to note their concurrence with or opposition to these petitions should file written notice with the secretary of the State Bar, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC, before May 1, 2024.