NCSB Journal Spring 2026

to make reasonable efforts to ensure that his assistant’s and intermediary organization’s conduct complied with his professional obli gations, and failed to act with reasonable diligence while representing a client. Ralls was censured by the Grievance Committee. Reprimands Charles Anderson Jr. of Charlotte, in two separate matters, failed to act with rea sonable diligence or maintain adequate communication with clients, including sig nificant delays in responding to an insurance company’s requests, neglecting to file a com plaint or otherwise pursue a client’s matter, and ignoring repeated client inquiries. Additionally, Anderson knowingly failed to timely respond to the State Bar’s lawful demands for information during its investi gation. Anderson was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee. Charles Anderson Jr. of Charlotte, in three unrelated matters, failed to timely respond to the State Bar’s Letters of Notice and a follow-up inquiry in grievance investi gations. Anderson received notice of the State Bar’s inquiry but failed to timely respond and only responded upon threat of noncompliance suspension. Anderson was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee. Charles Anderson Jr. of Charlotte failed to act with diligence and maintain reason able communication with a client after agreeing to issue a refund but neither send ing the refund nor responding to further inquiries. Anderson also failed to participate in the mandatory fee dispute resolution process and knowingly failed to timely respond to the State Bar’s lawful demands for information during a grievance investi gation. Anderson was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee. Seth Matthew Woodall of Eden failed to disburse entrusted funds as directed, used entrusted funds for the benefit of a third party without client authorization due to third-party fraud, and misapplied entrusted funds as a result of lack of diligence in not verifying the authenticity of payoff instruc tions in accordance with his firm’s proto cols. Woodall was reprimanded by the Grievance Committee.

barment for mishandling and embezzling entrusted funds but subsequently withdrew her petition. Warren Ballentine of Tucson, Arizona, petitioned for reinstatement from his 2016 disbarment based on mail, wire, and bank fraud convictions but subsequently with drew his petition. Penny Bell of Dunn petitioned for the stay of the remainder of a three-year suspen sion imposed in 2024 for making multiple false statements under oath while testifying during a Batson remand hearing, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and making multiple false statements to the Bar in con junction with a grievance matter. The DHC granted the State Bar’s motion for summary judgment (denying the petition) on December 30, 2025. Authorized Practice Committee Actions Thomas L. Hipke , a California attorney and founder of Elite Legal Practice, PC, was issued a Letter of Caution for representing

North Carolina residents in debt collection matters. Nataly Diaz , manager of Diaz Tax Multi-Services, LLC, was issued a Letter of Caution for advertising that she prepared legal documents in immigration matters. Keyla Giuffrida , a notary public and the owner of Resilience Insurance and Advice LLC, was issued a Letter of Caution for advertising that she provided legal services related to family law, immigration law, and traffic matters. Trevor Atkinson was issued a Letter of Caution for holding himself out as a “credit repair specialist” who could provide legal representation to consumers. Kennan Watkins was issued a Letter of Caution for filing a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of his brother. Eric Olsen , an Oregon attorney and the executive director of HELPS Law Group, was permanently enjoined from the unauthorized practice of law for repre senting North Carolina debtors in their legal matters. n

Upcoming Appointments Anyone interested in being appointed to serve on any of the State Bar’s boards or commissions should complete the “Boards and Commissions Interest Form” at bit.ly/NCSBInterestForm. The deadline for completion of the interest form is April 6, 2026. Your information will be included in the agenda materials for the quarterly meeting of the council in April 2026. Disciplinary Hearing Commission (DHC) (two appointments, three-year terms; one appointment, partial term)There are three appointments to be made by the State Bar Council. Three lawyer members are not eligible for reappointment. The Disciplinary Hearing Commission (DHC) is an independent adjudicatory body that hears all contested disciplinary cases. It is composed of 18 North Carolina lawyers and eight public members. The DHC sits in panels of three: two lawyers and one public member. In addition to disciplinary cases, the DHC hears cases involving contested allegations that a lawyer is not fit to practice and petitions from disbarred and suspended lawyers seeking reinstatement. Inmate Grievance Resolution Board (one appointment, four-year term; appointed by the governor)—The governor makes one appointment. The State Bar must sub mit five names to the governor for his consideration. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a member may serve. The Inmate Grievance Resolution Board has jurisdiction over all appeals of inmate grievances filed through the Administrative Remedy Procedure established pursuant to Article 11A of Chapter 148 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Its responsibilities include review of the grievance procedure and other functions assigned by the governor. n

Completed Petitions for Reinstatement/Stay – Contested

Carson Freeman Taylor of Newton peti tioned for reinstatement from her 2018 dis

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THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR JOURNAL