On Monday, December 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma approved the resignation of attorney Julia Marie Ezell from the Oklahoma Bar Association. This decision comes as Ezell faces ongoing disciplinary proceedings related to multiple grievances against her.
The case is entitled “Oklahoma Bar Association v. Julia Marie Ezell,” with case no. 7788.
Ezell’s resignation request was filed while she was under investigation for serious misconduct allegations. The court’s approval allows Ezell to relinquish her license to practice law pending these disciplinary actions, as stipulated in her affidavit submitted following Rule 8.1 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings.
In her affidavit, Ezell acknowledged that she had previously been suspended from practicing law for one year, a suspension that began on October 22, 2019. This disciplinary action was a result of her guilty plea to two misdemeanor charges: falsely reporting a crime and using a computer to violate Oklahoma statutes.
The current grievances against Ezell include several serious allegations. One grievance opened on September 14, 2023, was initiated after a bank notified the Oklahoma Bar Association that Ezell’s IOLTA account had insufficient funds. During the investigation, Ezell admitted to not fully disclosing relevant facts in her written responses. Another grievance, filed by client Kathryn Kilpatrick on January 5, 2024, accuses Ezell of signing Kilpatrick’s name on a legal document without her consent. Furthermore, a third grievance was opened on August 23, 2024, after Ezell self-reported that she had converted approximately $123,177.78 in client funds for personal use.
Ezell’s resignation is voluntary, and she has waived her right to contest the allegations against her. She has also stated her understanding of the potential consequences, including the possibility of disbarment. The court has made it clear that Ezell may not apply for reinstatement of her law license for a minimum of five years following the approval of her resignation.
The Supreme Court’s order also includes requirements for Ezell to comply with Rule 9.1 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings and to refund any amounts drawn from the Client Security Fund for claims made by her former clients. This fund may be activated if claims arise due to her conduct.
The Disposition states:
“IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the resignation of Julia Marie Ezell tendered during the pendency of disciplinary proceedings be approved and that her resignation is deemed effective upon the filing of this Order in the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
