On Friday, October 20, 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia issued an order suspending Attorney Holly Wolfe Hinerman indefinitely.
According to the order, on August 1 the Lawyer Disciplinary Board Hearing Panel Subcommittee filed a recommended disposition to indefinitely suspend Ms. Hinerman’s law license, with eligibility to petition for reinstatement after two years.
The Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel filed a consent to this recommendation on August 7. Ms. Hinerman did not file a consent or objection. The Supreme Court reviewed the recommendation on October 19 and agreed with the Hearing Panel’s disposition. In its October 20 order, the Court suspended Ms. Hinerman’s license to practice law in West Virginia indefinitely, requiring her to serve a minimum two-year suspension before filing a petition for reinstatement in accordance with Rule 3.32 of the Lawyer Disciplinary Rules.
The disposition reads:
“It is ORDERED that: (1) The license to practice law in the State of West Virginia of the Respondent, Holly Wolfe Hinerman, is suspended indefinitely.”
The specific misconduct that led to Ms. Hinerman’s suspension was not mentioned in the order. However, according to the Lawyer Disciplinary Rules, the Hearing Panel may recommend a disposition of indefinite suspension for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, including knowingly and willfully engaging in conduct that is in violation of the rules, or engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
According to Lawyer.com, Attorney Holly Wolfe Hinerman is a child custody and general practice attorney in Maidsville, West Virginia. She acquired her law license in West Virginia in 2009.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
