On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the First District Subcommittee of the Virginia State Bar publicly reprimanded attorney Udoka Uzoamaka Angela Obi with terms. The reprimand stems from multiple violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct in connection with her representation of Robert Clinton in a divorce and related custody matter.

The Subcommittee found that Obi violated RPC 1.1, RPC 1.3(a), RPC 1.5(a), RPC 1.15(a)(1), RPC 1.15(a)(3), RPC 1.15(b)(3), RPC 1.15(d)(3), and RPC 1.16(e).

According to the findings of fact, Clinton retained Obi in late December 2021 for a divorce case, with a written fee agreement stipulating a $5,000 retainer, $700 of which was immediately earned upon receipt to assure Obi’s availability. The agreement also stated an hourly rate of $350. While Clinton paid Obi $3,500 on December 27, 2021, Obi deposited this payment into her Primis Small Business Checking Account ending in 9603 on January 20, 2022, rather than a trust account. Although Obi asserted the account was a trust account, monthly statements did not reflect this.

The investigation revealed several discrepancies in Obi’s handling of Clinton’s funds. Clinton reported not receiving monthly billing statements and being denied an accounting of fees despite multiple requests. While client ledgers and invoices indicated Clinton made payments totaling $1,350 in 2022, it remains unclear which account Obi deposited these payments into. A $5,000 payment from Clinton in September 2022 was not reflected in the client ledger. Additionally, an $850 payment made by Clinton in March 2023 could not be clearly linked to a $3,500 deposit made by Obi in April 2023.

Further complicating matters, a $5,000 payment from Clinton’s mother in May 2023 to cover the cost of a Guardian ad litem and a second expert could not be clearly traced to a $6,770 deposit made by Obi that same month. The client ledger and bank statements also showed Obi periodically transferred funds from the account ending in 9603 to her operating account, resulting in a negative balance on Clinton’s client ledger.

The Subcommittee also found that Obi failed to abide by a pre-trial order in the custody matter, neglecting to file a witness and exhibits list. This resulted in the exclusion of several of Clinton’s witnesses from testifying at a June 2024 hearing.

After Clinton terminated Obi in early April 2025 and retained Shantell Nashatka, Obi delayed providing Clinton’s file. Nashatka eventually received the file on June 10, 2025, but it was missing key documents, including pleadings, discovery responses, and certificates of authenticity.

In June 2025, Clinton received a “Final Accounting” indicating an outstanding balance of $23,486.41. Obi later provided a “CORRECTED” invoice showing a balance of $26,811.41, but stated she would not pursue Clinton for any balance owed. Obi refunded Clinton $5,000 for expert fees in July 2025.

As part of the public reprimand with terms, Obi must read Lawyers and Other People’s Money, 5th Edition, Legal Ethics Opinion 1606, and Legal Ethics Opinion 1899, and certify compliance to Bar Counsel within 30 days. She must also complete six hours of continuing legal education credits in trust accounting and/or ethics by April 30, 2026, with at least three hours focused on trust accounting. Obi is responsible for any disciplinary costs associated with the case.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.