On Thursday, July 3, 2025, the Fifth District, Section II Subcommittee of the Virginia State Bar imposed a public reprimand with terms on attorney Timothy R. King for violations related to client fee agreements and trust account management. The disciplinary action stems from a case involving King’s representation of a client in a divorce proceeding.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Timothy R. King,” with case no. 25-052-133813.
King was hired by client Teeshha Peak on February 8, 2022, to handle her divorce case while operating a solo practice. The initial fee agreement stipulated a flat fee of $999 for an uncontested divorce, described as nonrefundable and earned upon payment. Peak paid King $500 on February 14, 2022, and an additional $499 on April 5, 2022, both of which King deposited into his operating account rather than a trust account.
In December 2022, when the divorce became contested, King provided Peak with a new fee agreement acknowledging her prior $999 payment and requiring an additional $2,500 deposit, also described as earned upon payment. On December 12, 2022, Peak made two payments of $1,250, which King again deposited into his operating account. King charged an hourly rate of $350 and promised monthly statements. He continued representing Peak until December 2024, when he withdrew as counsel after Peak filed a bar complaint against him.
The Virginia State Bar found that King’s actions violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. By designating fees as nonrefundable and earned upon payment, King breached Rule 1.5(a), which requires fees to be reasonable based on factors such as time, labor, and customary charges. Additionally, by depositing client funds into his operating account instead of a trust account and disbursing unearned fees, King violated Rule 1.15(a)(1) and Rule 1.15(b)(5), which mandate proper handling and safekeeping of client funds.
As part of the public reprimand, King must complete two hours of continuing legal education in trust accounting by September 30, 2025, which will not count toward his mandatory annual CLE requirements. Failure to comply will trigger a hearing to determine further sanctions.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. King is a family attorney in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He acquired his law license in Virginia in 2015.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
