Lawrence O'Neill

DCCA Opinion (June 16, 2022)

Summary: The D.C. Court of Appeals disbarred O’Neill, with reinstatement conditioned upon full restitution as well as the costs of litigating the action in Ireland. This matter arises from O’Neill’s representation of a client in Ireland and his handling of entrusted funds obtained from the sale of the client’s stake in a jointly held business. The court agreed with the Board on Professional Responsibility’s findings that O’Neill engaged in intentional misappropriation; was knowingly dishonest to a tribunal and to Disciplinary Counsel; engaged in larceny, theft, and wire fraud; and engaged in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation. In addition, O’Neill engaged in rule violations pertaining to written fee agreements and record-keeping. Finally, O’Neill failed to promptly deliver client funds and render a full accounting, failed to return client funds upon termination, knowingly disobeyed obligations under the rules of a tribunal, and seriously interfered with the administration of justice. (Rules 1.5(b); 1.15(a) and (c); 1.16(d); 3.3(a)(1); 3.4(c); 8.1(a); and 8.4(b), (c), and (d).)

DCCA Order (March 11, 2021)

Summary: In re Lawrence D. O’Neill. Bar No. 265702. March 11, 2021. O’Neill was suspended on an interim basis pursuant to D.C. Bar R. XI, § 9(g), pending final action on the Board on Professional Responsibility’s November 12, 2020, recommendation of disbarment. O’Neill was also suspended on February 3, 2021 on an interim basis based upon consideration of a verified petition of Disciplinary Counsel on behalf of the Board on Professional Responsibility pursuant to D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 3(c)(1).

Board Report and Orders (November 12, 2020)

Summary: In re Lawrence D. O’Neill. Bar No. 265702. November 12, 2020. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals disbar O’Neill. This matter arises from O’Neill’s representation of a client in Ireland and handling of entrusted funds he obtained from the sale of the client’s stake in a jointly held business. The Board found that O’Neill engaged in intentional misappropriation; was knowingly dishonest to a tribunal and to Disciplinary Counsel; engaged in larceny, theft, and wire fraud; and engaged in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation. In addition, O’Neill engaged in Rule violations pertaining to written fee agreements and recordkeeping. Finally, O’Neill failed to promptly deliver client funds and render a full accounting, failed to return client funds upon termination, knowingly disobeyed obligations under the rules of a tribunal, and seriously interfered with the administration of justice. (Rules 1.5(b), 1.15(a), 1.15(c), 1.16(d), 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 8.1(a), 8.4(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).)

Hearing Committee Report (April 14, 2020)

Summary: Not yet available.