On Friday, April 21, 2023, the State of West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals suspended attorney James J. Palmer, III in response to the latter’s petition for the annulment of his license.

The case is entitled “Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel v. James J. Palmer, III” with case no. 23-110.

In a separate order, the court granted the request of the respondent to dismiss the statement of charges filed against him in light of the annulment of his license to practice law in the State of West Virginia.

The Order states:

“By separate order on this date in Supreme Court of Appeals Docket No. 23-110, the license to practice law in the State of West Virginia of the respondent James J. Palmer, III was annulled by voluntary consent. The petition for annulment in that matter requested that the Court dismiss, as moot, this pending Statement of Charges.”

The Order continues:

“The Court reminds Jarnesj. Palmer, III, and the Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel that annulment of his license to practice law in the State of West Virginia does not preclude sanctions in this matter or any Other concurrent disciplinary matter. As a general rule, the annulment of a lawyer’s license to practice law does not moot or void sanctions imposed in relation to a prior or concurrent disciplinary matter unless the subsequent or concurrent annulment contains language specifically voiding Other properly imposed sanctions.”

On March 1, 2023, the Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel presented before the court its petition praying for the court to accept the annulment of the license of the respondent. The petition further requests that the court dismiss, as moot, the pending statement of charges. The formal affidavit that is under seal wherein the respondent is consenting to voluntary disbarment was filed on March 2, 2023.

The Disposition states:

“Upon consideration and review on April 20, 2023, the Court does grant the petition. It is O RD ERED that, pursuant to Rule 3.25 of the Rules of Lawyer Disciplinary Procedure, the license to practice law in the State of West Virginia of the respondent James J. Palmer is annulled by voluntary consent.”

Mr. Palmer practices in Bluefield, West Virginia. He is licensed in West Virginia. His info can be found on lawyersjustia.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.