David F. Stoddard Suspended Nine Months by SC Court

SC Court Orders

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The Supreme Court of South Carolina has suspended attorney David F. Stoddard from the practice of law for nine months following an Agreement for Discipline by Consent. An order has been issued appointing a receiver to manage Mr. Stoddard's client files and accounts.

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What changed

The Supreme Court of South Carolina, in an order filed March 18, 2026, has suspended David F. Stoddard from the practice of law for a period of nine months. This action was taken based on an accepted Agreement for Discipline by Consent. The Court has appointed John Earle Tyler as Receiver to manage Mr. Stoddard's client files, trust accounts, and other law office accounts to protect the interests of his clients.

This order has immediate implications for Mr. Stoddard and his clients. The appointed receiver, Mr. Tyler, is authorized to take necessary actions to manage the client files and accounts, including making disbursements and closing accounts. The order also serves as an injunction against Mr. Stoddard withdrawing funds from his accounts and notifies financial institutions and the postal service of Mr. Tyler's authority. Legal professionals in South Carolina should be aware of the disciplinary actions taken and the procedures for receivership under Rule 31, RLDE, and Rule 413, SCACR.

What to do next

Review the order appointing John Earle Tyler as Receiver for David F. Stoddard's client files and accounts.
Ensure any financial institutions holding Respondent's accounts are served with the order to prevent unauthorized withdrawals.
Comply with the directives of the appointed Receiver regarding client file management and account actions as per Rule 31, RLDE, and Rule 413, SCACR.

Penalties

Suspension from the practice of law for nine months.

Source document (simplified)

The Supreme Court of South Carolina In the Matter of David F. Stoddard, Respondent. Appellate Case No. 2026-000273 ORDER By opinion filed March 18, 2026, this Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent and suspended Respondent from the practice of law for a period of nine months. In re Stoddard, Op. No. 28323 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed Mar. 18, 2026) (Howard Adv. Sh. No. 11 at 32). In light of this suspension, John Earle Tyler, Esquire, is hereby appointed as Receiver in this matter to protect the interests of Respondent's clients. IT IS ORDERED that Mr. Tyler shall 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 18, 2026