Tipler v. Alabama State Bar

On August 15, 2000, the general counsel of the Alabama State Bar ("the Bar") filed formal charges against attorney James Harvey Tipler. The Bar's complaint presented five charges, alleging violations of the following Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct: Rule 1.15(a), Rule 1.15(b), Rule 1.15(c), Rule 8.4(c), and Rule 8.4(g), based on allegations that Tipler failed to satisfy a $487,714.80 referral fee agreement entered into between him and Francis "Sonny" James, the referring attorney. Tipler filed an answer on September 18, 2000, denying the allegations contained in the Bar's complaint. On…