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.
Most Recent Actions
From the Summer 2024 Journal
NOTE: More than 32,500 people are licensed to practice law in North Carolina. Some share the same or similar names. All public orders of discipline may be located on the State Bar’s website.
Disbarments
Mimi Yongzhi Rankin of Arlington, Texas, surrendered her law license and was disbarred by the State Bar Council at its April meeting. Rankin admitted she made false statements of material fact in her application for admission to the State Bar.
Suspensions & Stayed Suspensions
Mark T. Cummings of Greensboro misrepresented his residency when running for judicial office, instructed a courtroom clerk to issue a note containing false information, failed to issue required Forms 1099 and made related false statements about individuals who provided services to his law firm, and misrepresented the existence of evidence to the presiding judge during a trial. After a hearing, the DHC imposed a five-year suspension with the ability to apply for a stay after three years.
Meredith Ezzell of Wilmington neglected multiple clients, did not timely file and pay federal and state income taxes, did not timely pay employment taxes, and did not respond to the Grievance Committee. Ezzell is currently serving a suspension entered in 18DHC42. By consent order, the DHC suspended Ezzell’s law license for an additional four years.
Earl H. Strickland of Lumberton did not conduct required trust account reviews and reconciliations, improperly disbursed entrusted funds, did not promptly disburse entrusted funds, did not escheat abandoned funds, and did not send required annual accountings to clients. By consent order, the DHC imposed a four-year suspension with the ability to apply for a stay upon compliance with conditions set out in the order.
Completed Grievance Noncompliance Actions before the DHC
Duane S. Miller of Concord failed to comply with a grievance investigation and failed to show good cause for his noncompliance. The DHC entered an order suspending Miller’s license until he demonstrates that he has complied with the investigation.
Censures
Walter Ramsey Jr. of Timberlake was censured by the Grievance Committee for engaging in a conflict of interest and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. While employed as an assistant district attorney, Ramsey dismissed a speeding citation pending against a close family member in the prosecutorial district where he was employed. Ramsey was aware that his office had a clear policy to notify the elected district attorney in such cases so a conflict prosecutor could take over the case. Ramsey did not disclose his conduct until confronted about the dismissal two months later.
Reprimands
Brian L. Crawford of Durham was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee. Crawford failed to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matter, failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information, failed to timely and properly serve a summons and complaint and failed to maintain the validity of the summons, engaged in a conflict of interest, and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The Grievance Committee reprimanded Greensboro lawyer Barry C. Snyder. Snyder filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former client without the former client’s knowledge or consent. In a separate matter, after consulting with a prospective client, Snyder did not inform the prospective client that he was declining the representation. This failure to communicate misled the prospective client into believing Snyder was pursuing a claim on her behalf. Snyder also failed to respond to the State Bar’s supplemental requests for information.
Christopher S. Shumate of Charlotte was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation that reflects adversely on his fitness as a lawyer and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Shumate falsely stated to multiple people that he represented an estate in a wrongful death action and engaged in settlement negotiations on behalf of the estate without authority to do so.
Admonitions
Thomas C. Goolsby of Wilmington engaged in conduct involving a misrepresentation when responding to an investigation of notary fraud by the NC Secretary of State Notary Enforcement Division. The DHC entered a Consent Order of Discipline admonishing Goolsby for his misconduct.
Completed Petitions for Reinstatement/Stay – Uncontested
In 2019, Kenneth B. Holmes of Statesville was suspended by the DHC for five years for engaging in conduct involving misrepresentation, entering into a prohibited transaction with a client, and violating various trust accounting rules. Holmes was eligible to apply for a stay after serving two years of active suspension and complying with certain conditions. The Office of Counsel consented to a DHC order staying the remainder of Holmes’ suspension.
In 2018, Arnold O. Jones of Goldsboro was suspended by the DHC for five years for conduct resulting in a federal felony conviction for promising and paying gratuity to a public official. In January 2024, Jones petitioned for reinstatement. Finding that he had substantially satisfied the conditions set forth in the Order of Discipline, the Office of Counsel did not object to his reinstatement.
Completed Petitions for Reinstatement/Stay – Contested
Theodore G. Hale of Wilmington was disbarred by the DHC in 2004. The DHC found that he misappropriated money from his former law partner, charged and collected money from the parents of a criminal defendant he was appointed to represent without telling them that he was obligated to represent their son at state expense, and collected and converted to his own use $15,287.09 in proceeds of an annuity contract. In February 2019, the DHC recommended denial of Hale’s first petition for reinstatement and Hale did not seek council review. On February 20, 2024, Hale filed a notice of voluntary dismissal terminating proceedings on his second petition for reinstatement.
Notice of Intent to Seek Reinstatement
In the Matter of Matthew Ragaller
Notice is hereby given that Matthew Ragaller, intends to file a Petition for Reinstatement before the Disciplinary Hearing Commission of The North Carolina State Bar. Mr. Ragaller was disbarred effective April 2, 2015, for misappropriating client funds and filing a false and inaccurate accounting with the clerk of court.
Individuals who wish to note their concurrence with or opposition to this petition should file written notice with the secretary of the State Bar, PO Box 25908, Raleigh, NC, before August 1, 2024.