On Thursday, May 30, 2024, the Supreme Court of South Carolina issued an order suspending attorney Joseph R. Surface from practicing law and appointing a receiver to protect his client’s interests.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Joseph R. Surface,” with case no. 2024-000875 and 2024-000876.
The order stated that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel had asked the Court to place Mr. Surface on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(a) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. The petition also sought the appointment of a receiver.
As a result, the Court ordered that Mr. Surface’s license to practice law in the state of South Carolina be suspended until further notice from the Court.
Peyre T. Lumpkin, Esquire, was appointed as the receiver to assume responsibility for Mr. Surface’s client files, trust accounts, escrow accounts, operating accounts, and any other law office accounts.
Mr. Lumpkin is authorized to take actions necessary to protect Mr. Surface’s clients’ interests according to Rule 31 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. The order further states that it serves as an injunction to prevent Mr. Surface from making withdrawals from any financial accounts related to his law practice. Banks and other financial institutions must recognize Mr. Lumpkin as the authorized receiver of Mr. Surface’s accounts.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Surface is a social security 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.
