The Supreme Court of South Carolina

 

In the Matter of Johnny Simpson, Respondent.

Appellate Case Nos. 2022-000585 and 2022-000586

 

ORDER

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has petitioned the Court to place Respondent on incapacity inactive status pursuant to Rule 28(c) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE) contained in Rule 413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (SCACR).  The petition also seeks appointment of the Receiver to protect the interests of Respondent's clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR.

IT IS ORDERED that Respondent is hereby placed on incapacity inactive status.  Based on the record, the Court finds Respondent is unable to practice law or participate in the disciplinary investigation, and further proceedings under Rule 28(b), RLDE, are unnecessary at this time.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Peyre T. Lumpkin, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for Respondent's client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts Respondent may maintain.  Mr. Lumpkin shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of Respondent's clients.  Mr. Lumpkin may make disbursements from Respondent's trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts Respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.

This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating account(s) of Respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent Respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Peyre T. Lumpkin, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that Peyre T. Lumpkin, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive Respondent's mail and the authority to direct that Respondent's mail be delivered to Mr. Lumpkin's office.

Mr. Lumpkin's appointment shall be for a period of no longer than nine months unless an extension of the period of appointment is requested.

Columbia, South Carolina
June 6, 2022