Disciplinary Hearing – Trust Account violations

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WI Supreme Court

Disciplinary Hearing – Trust Account violations

2015AP578-D Office of Lawyer Regulation v. James T. Runyon

“Attorney Runyon maintained an IOLTA trust account at First Merit Bank in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Between September and October 2013, a series of overdrafts occurred. At the OLR’s request, Attorney Runyon provided the OLR with his transaction register, client ledger, and bank statements. Attorney Runyon’s transaction register consisted of handwritten check stubs, which did not show a consistent, accurate running balance, did not include the source and client matter for all deposits, and did not include the purpose for all disbursements. Attorney Runyon did not perform complete and accurate monthly account reconciliations. For example, Attorney Runyon’s handwritten check stubs indicate that the balance in his trust account as of June 27, 2013, should have been $134,924.09. However, bank records show that Attorney Runyon’s actual trust account balance on June 27, 2013, was only $5,944.86.”

License Suspended for 60 days

Per Curiam.

ABRAHAMSON, J., concurs. (Opinion filed.)

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.