The Missouri Supreme Court disbarred attorney James T. Crump in a disciplinary proceeding that concluded with the court's harshest sanction for professional misconduct involving client trust funds and ethical violations.

In *In re: James T. Crump* (Mo. 2024), the court issued its opinion on May 14, 2024, finding that Crump violated nine separate Rules of Professional Conduct. The violations stemmed from his mismanagement of two client trusts and his Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA).

The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel initiated the disciplinary action against Crump, seeking sanctions for his conduct related to trust account management. Following an evidentiary hearing, a disciplinary hearing panel recommended that Crump be suspended without leave to apply for reinstatement for three years. However, both parties rejected this recommendation.

Crump requested that the Missouri Supreme Court impose a stayed suspension with a period of probation, while the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel recommended the more severe sanction of disbarment. The court ultimately sided with the disciplinary counsel, determining that disbarment was the appropriate penalty given the severity and scope of the violations.

The specific violations included improper handling of client trust funds, failure to maintain adequate records of trust account transactions, and breaches of fiduciary duties while serving as successor trustee for client trusts. The court noted that these violations undermined the integrity of the legal profession and warranted the most severe disciplinary measure.

This case highlights the Missouri Supreme Court's commitment to maintaining professional standards and protecting clients from attorney misconduct involving trust funds and fiduciary responsibilities.