Attorney Douglas Tate of Greenville, NC; ethical ogre

The state of North Carolina presented Douglas J. Tate with a law license in 1989 after he graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

The Grievance Committee of the North Carolina State Bar found Doug guilty of the following misconduct.

• Failed to keep client informed of status of matter
• Failed to promptly comply with client information requests
• Failed to act with due diligence (slacker)
• Failed to promptly deposit entrusted funds in client trust account
• Failed to complete work on client matters
• Ceased communications with client
• Failed to effectively manage entrusted funds  
• Failed to provide client with invoices reflecting that Defendant had billed additional fees totaling more than $25,000 in two months
• Failed to follow up with client about past bills
• Failed to reasonably consult with the client about how the client's objectives were to be accomplished
• Failed to open proper client records for numerous clients, thereby failing to ensure a lack of conflict in the representations
• Failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that nonlawyer's conduct was compatible with Doug's professional obligations

As a direct consequence of his misconduct the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Grievance Committee of the North Carolina State Bar punished Doug by gifting him with a complimentary stayed 1-year suspension of his law license.

In truth, the comedians sitting on the Grievance Committee of the North Carolina State Bar didn’t mete out any meaningful punishment to Doug.

As we speak (ca. January 2021), Doug practices at 220 North Main Street in Greenville, North Carolina.