An Auburn attorney purposely forfeited his law license with the Alabama State Bar Association for reasons that are unclear.
James Boyd Douglas Jr., a partner at McNeal & Douglas in Auburn, last week petitioned the Alabama State Bar for disbarment, which was granted Tuesday, according to paperwork.
Alabama State Bar General Counsel Tony McLain considered Douglas’ actions to be unusual.
“We don’t have that happen many times … a consent for disbarment,” he said.
Douglas was a partner with Marrell J. McNeal, who founded the firm in 1981. McNeal confirmed that Douglas filed the state for disbarment Friday.
“I will continue to practice law as a sole practitioner,” McNeal said in a statement. “I value the relationships with my clients and thank them for their patience as I work through this difficult time.”
Attempts Wednesday to reach Douglas were not successful. A home telephone number listed in the 2011 AT&T directory was disconnected.
Tuesday, McLain said the disbarment “had to do with trust and accounting issues” in relation to loan institutions and real estate.
“I can’t comment on any of the facts or allegations,” said Auburn attorney Trip Walton III, who is representing Douglas. “I can’t comment because of confidentiality reasons.”
No criminal charges have been filed against Douglas and neither Walton nor McNeal said they were not aware if Douglas is the subject of a criminal investigation.
“I had absolutely no knowledge of any improprieties,” McNeal said Wednesday afternoon.
Lee County District Attorney Robbie Treese said he is not aware of any pending charges. Clark Morris of the U.S. Attorney’s Middle District office in Montgomery could not say if that office is involved in or aware of an ongoing investigation involving Douglas.
According to his former law office’s website, Douglas has “successfully mitigated” cases that include medical malpractice, products liability, automobile accidents, insurance fraud and federal employment and civil rights claims.
According to the website, Douglas joined the firm in 1996. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Auburn University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law.
McLainsaids that once disbarred, attorneys must wait five years before they can petition for reinstatement.
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