Matter of McBratney

In this attorney grievance matter, the Hearing Panel recommended that respondent be privately reprimanded for misconduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 407, SCACR, and Rules on Disciplinary Procedure, Rule 413, SCACR. The Executive Committee accepted the Panel’s findings of facts and conclusions of law, but voted to recommend that respondent be publicly reprimanded. We find the appropriate sanction is a definite suspension from the practice of law for a period of ninety (90) days.

The ethical violations committed by respondent arise from his involvement in a romantic…