Attorney Melegia Lee Daniels Jr Interim Suspension

SC Court Orders

Filed March 30th, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The Supreme Court of South Carolina issued an interim suspension of attorney Melegia Lee Daniels Jr.'s law license effective March 30, 2026, pursuant to Rule 17(b), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. John Earle Tyler, Esquire was appointed as receiver to protect client interests and assume responsibility for all of Respondent's client files, trust accounts, escrow accounts, and operating accounts.

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What changed

The South Carolina Supreme Court granted the Office of Disciplinary Counsel's petition and suspended attorney Melegia Lee Daniels Jr.'s license to practice law in South Carolina until further order. The Court appointed John Earle Tyler as receiver to protect client interests, with authority over all law office accounts, client files, and mail. The order serves as an injunction against withdrawals from Respondent's accounts and as notice to banks and the USPS of Tyler's appointment.\n\nAttorney Melegia Lee Daniels Jr. must immediately cease all legal practice. Banks and financial institutions receiving this order must prevent Respondent from making withdrawals and recognize Tyler as the duly appointed receiver. Tyler may only disburse funds as necessary to effectuate the appointment and may not practice law except as authorized by Rule 31(d)(5). The suspension remains in effect until further order of the Court.

What to do next

Cease all legal practice immediately until further order of the Court
Deliver all client files and trust account access to appointed receiver John Earle Tyler, Esquire
Notify relevant banks and financial institutions of the Court's appointment of John Earle Tyler as receiver

Source document (simplified)

The Supreme Court of South Carolina

In the Matter of Melegia Lee Daniels, Jr., Respondent. Appellate Case Nos. 2026-000754 and 2026-000755 ORDER The Office of Disciplinary Counsel asks this Court to place Respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(b), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. The petition also seeks appointment of the Receiver to protect the interests of Respondent's clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. IT IS ORDERED that Respondent's license to practice law in this state is suspended until further order of this Court. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that John Earle Tyler, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for Respondent's client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts Respondent may maintain. Mr. Tyler shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of Respondent's clients. Except as authorized by Rule 31(d)(5), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, Mr. Tyler may not practice law in any federal, state, or local court, including the entry of an appearance in a court of this State or of the United States. Mr. Tyler may make disbursements from and close Respondent's trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts Respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment. This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating account(s) of Respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent Respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that John Earle Tyler, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court. Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that John Earle Tyler, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this

Court and has the authority to receive Respondent's mail and the authority to direct that Respondent's mail be delivered to Mr. Tyler's office. s/ John W. Kittredge C.J. FOR THE COURT Columbia, South Carolina March 30, 2026