Charlotte attorney suspended for two years

Attorney: Wesley S. White

Location: Charlotte

Bar membership: Member since 2012

Disciplinary action: Suspended from the practice of law for two years on May 11. After three months, White may apply for a stay of the remainder of the suspension.

Background: White represented a client who was being sued for alienation of affection and criminal conversation. White failed to adequately explain to his client his obligation to respond to discovery, failed to make a reasonably diligent inquiry of his client regarding information responsive to discovery and failed to appear on his client’s behalf at a hearing on a motion to compel. The court granted an order to compel his client’s testimony, and subsequently the client was found to be in non-compliance with that order and the opposing party was granted attorneys’ fees as a sanction. White failed to timely file the record or pay the bond on appeal of those sanctions. He did not tell his client about this failure, or tell the client that the appeal was dismissed, or take action to have his client comply with the sanctions order after it was upheld. White then failed to appear on his client’s behalf at a contempt hearing, or explain to his client that he could be incarcerated if the court held him in contempt.

Previous discipline: None

All information contained in the Bar Discipline Roundup is compiled and edited by Lawyers Weekly editor-in-chief David Donovan. He can be reached at [email protected].