Raleigh attorney censured (April 2022)

Attorney: Ryan Alan Spencer

Location: Raleigh

Bar membership: Member since 2012

Disciplinary action: Censured on April 7

Background: Spencer represented a client in a veterans’ benefit claim. The client mailed a check for $5,000, made out to Spencer, to his home address. The funds were the property of the law firm Spencer worked for, and Spencer knew that he was not entitled to these funds but deposited the funds into his personal bank account with the intent to defraud the firm and convert the funds for his own use. Spencer also allowed the client to believe that the client had paid the balance he owed to the law firm. In its findings of facts regarding discipline, the Disciplinary Hearing Commission noted that during the time when the misconduct was committed, Spencer was experiencing severe emotional trauma due to uniquely tragic family circumstances. Spencer admitted to the violations, expressed remorse, and repaid the money owed to his former firm.

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].