On Friday, August 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of South Carolina granted the request for reinstatement of Attorney Joseph R. Surface to the South Carolina Bar following a six-month suspension from practicing law. This suspension, which was retroactive to the date of his interim suspension, was ordered by the court in an opinion dated July 2, 2025.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Joseph R. Surface,” with case no. 2025-001513.
Surface filed an affidavit requesting his reinstatement under Rule 32 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. As part of the reinstatement process, Surface has committed to enrolling in and completing the next available Legal Ethics and Practice Program Ethics School. He is required to submit proof of completion to the Commission on Lawyer Conduct within twenty days after finishing the program.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Surface is a social security and disability attorney in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduating in 1978. He acquired his law license in South Carolina in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
