Introduction:
A San Diego lawyer, Kelly DuFord Williams, has been disbarred by the California Supreme Court following allegations of stealing over $80,000 from clients. The State Bar of California found Williams guilty of misappropriating settlement funds that belonged to two clients of her former law firm, Slate Law Group. The disbarment order also requires Williams to pay restitution and sanctions to the affected clients. Authorities suspect that Williams may have committed similar acts against other clients, and she is currently wanted for arrest on charges of felony theft and forging checks.
The Legal Consequences:
In addition to disbarring Williams, the California Supreme Court has ordered her to pay restitution totaling over $40,000 to the affected clients, along with $5,000 in sanctions. The order, signed in April, took effect on Friday. The State Bar of California spokesperson confirmed that state authorities believe Williams has also engaged in theft from other clients, with charges of stealing over $400,000 from former clients.
An Ongoing Case:
Despite a warrant being issued for Williams' arrest in March, she has not yet been prosecuted, and the case remains in arrest warrant status. Williams, who represented herself during the disciplinary proceedings, has been accused of employing avoidance and delay tactics and deemed an unreliable witness by the state bar.
Additional Allegations:
Separately, the State Bar of California had accused Williams of misappropriating a $109,000 settlement owed to four children involved in a mold exposure lawsuit. This case was closed following Williams' disbarment. The state bar has also alleged that Williams filed two false police reports about a child's welfare due to personal grievances with her former boyfriend, further adding to the allegations considered during the disbarment recommendation.
Escalating Misconduct:
In April 2021, Williams falsely claimed to be a deputy district attorney and made two false calls to the police, reporting a child in distress at a vacation rental where her ex-boyfriend was staying. These incidents, highlighting a pattern of dishonesty, were included in the state bar's disbarment recommendation.
Williams has not provided any comment regarding the accusations at this time.
