On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Virginia State Bar disciplinary Board accepted an Agreed Disposition and issued a 30-day suspension of Attorney John Edward Williams’ license to practice law in the state.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of John Edward Williams,” with case no. 24-041-131438.

The hearing was held telephonically with Chair David J. Gogal presiding over a five-member panel of the Board. Assistant Bar Counsel Richard W. Johnson represented the Virginia State Bar while Mr. Williams was present and was not represented by counsel. The Board members reported no conflicts of interest.

The Board’s order incorporates the Agreed Disposition signed by Mr. Williams and the Bar. It finds that on July 13, 2022, the Fourth District, Section I Subcommittee had also approved an agreed disposition for a Public Reprimand with Terms for Mr. Williams.

As outlined in the Subcommittee Determination from July 2022, Mr. Williams violated several Rules of Professional Conduct in his representation of a client, Susan Valentine, regarding tax issues before the IRS from 2015 through 2019. Specifically, he failed to act with diligence, failed to communicate adequately with his client, charged unreasonable fees, and mishandled client funds by depositing retainer fees into his personal bank account.

Some of the issues included missing deadlines that resulted in penalties for his client, not informing her when he failed to participate in IRS conferences on her behalf, failing to provide itemized billing statements, and incurring overdrafts on the account.

In accepting this Agreed Disposition, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board acknowledged the Subcommittee’s prior reprimand and suspended Mr. Williams’ law license for 30 days.

The Disposition states:

“It is ORDERED that the Disciplinary Board accepts the Agreed Disposition, and the Respondent shall receive a 30-day suspension, as set forth in the Agreed Disposition, which is attached and incorporated in this Memorandum Order.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Williams is a tax attorney in Alexandria, Virginia. He acquired his law license in Virginia in 1974. 

A copy of the original filing can be found here.