On Thursday, April 6, 2023, North Carolina’s General Court of Justice, District Court Division issued a preliminary injunction and order to show cause against attorney Arthur M. Blue. The case is entitled “In the Matter of Arthur M. Blue,” with case no. 23CV000496.

The charges alleged that the respondent committed professional misconduct by appearing before the court inebriated and unable to try a case set for a hearing, failing to inform his clients regarding the developments of their case, and admitting that he was incapable of proceeding with a scheduled trial due to inebriation.

The filing states:

“On April 6, 2023, prior to 10 courts beginning at 9:30 am for the Irial Of the Rodgers matter, Attorney Silverman and Attorney Blue requested to speak with the undersigned Judge in chambers. The undersigned Judge observed that Attorney Bluc was visibly inebriated in chambers. He could not walk steadily (he was waving and shuffling), his eyes were bloodshot, and he had slurred speech. Both attorneys requested a motion to continue. The undersigned Judge agreed to continue the matter today given the circumstances but also explained that there would be an announcement in open court by the undersigned Judge with the clients present that no further continuances would be granted also explained I would be setting it peremptorily.”

The filing continues:

“The undersigned Judge then asked to speak with Attorney Blue separately in chambers. I explained that had heard that there were issues with Mr. Blue appearing in coun and/or being ready to proceed through the usual courthouse chatter, but preferred to directly speak with him about his cases befOre me. I asked him if Ile was too inebriated to proceed today. Mr. Blue said, “Yes, he was.” I explained that had a great deal of respect for him. I also explained that I was concerned about his clients. I asked him what his plan was as far as transferring his clients to other representation. He told me he planned to partner with Mr. Silverman and transfer his cases over. He said he almost had an agreement with the State Bar to go for treatment and that in 90 days he would be back and ready to go. I explained that the clients before me today could not be lepæsented by Mr. Silverman because he was the opposing counsel.”

The filing further states:

“Mr. Blue then began telling me about his knee injury and his need for surgery. I refocused him on (the present issue of the client he was representing today. Hc said “l haven’t thought about a conflict plan.” I told him I believe he needed to transfer a representation of the files. He directly told me he was not planning to talk with any clients about his “health issues,” and explained to Mr. Blue that he needed treatment. said to him that being honest about addiction and handling it honestly would make me have greater respect for u person not less, but that ignoring problems and leaving clients in bad circumstances was not acceptable. At that point, he became frustrated about the “people” talking about him and said they could ‘ ‘fuck off.” I said that I believed he needed to focus on himself but that we should turn to the courtroom and manage the matter before the Court.”

In regard to his misconduct, the court stated that Attorney Blue should be required to promptly withdraw from all pending cases in which he is the counsel on record. Moreover, he should also cooperate with any trustee who may be appointed pursuant to rules to protect the interests of his clients while he is prohibited from practicing law.

The order states:

“Arthur M. Bluc is hereby enjoined from engaging in the practice of law as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. 84-2.1 until such time as the proceedings in this Order to Show Cause are concluded and a decision entered, or until he is permitted to resume practicing lav by subsequent order of this Court.”

Mr. Blue attended the Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University, graduating in 1990. He practices in Carthage, North Carolina. He is licensed in North Carolina. His info can be found on avvo.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.