On Friday, August 22, 2023, the Sixth District Subcommittee of the Virginia State Bar imposed a publicly reprimanded Attorney James W. Hilldrup for professional misconduct.
The case is titled ‘In the Matter of James W. Hilldrup,’ with case No. 23-060-128458.
The nature of the misconduct is stated to be a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Rule 1.3 (Diligence), Rule 1.4 (Communication), and Rule 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation).
The Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct can be viewed here.
The Subcommittee determined that James W. Hilldrup engaged in misconduct related to a legal matter involving title issues with real property in Caroline County, Virginia. The findings reveal that the attorney failed to perform work or communicate with the complainant, despite requests and a discussion in July of 2022. The complainant requested a refund in February 2023, and the advanced fee deposit was refunded in May 2023, after the bar complaint was filed.
As a result, the Subcommittee imposed a public reprimand with terms. The terms include a requirement that James W. Hilldrup refrain from further misconduct for one year following the entry of the Subcommittee Determination. Additionally, he must complete six hours of continuing legal education credits on legal ethics within six months of the determination.
The disposition reads:
“Accordingly, having approved the Agreed Disposition, it is the decision of the Subcommittee to impose a Public Reprimand with Terms. “
According to Avvo, James W. Hilldrup is a real estate attorney in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He attended the University of Richmond School of Law, graduating in 1980. He acquired his law license in Virginia in 1980.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
