NCSB Journal Spring 2026

BAR UPDATES

Client Security Fund Reimburses Victims

board determined that the client retained Carver to assist with a child custody agree ment. Carver charged a $3,500 fee and col lected $1,500 towards the fee upfront plus an additional $210 in initial filing fees. Carver failed to provide any meaningful legal services for the fee paid prior to passing away. Carver died on April 9, 2024. 6. An award of $550 to a former client of Eric R. Inhaber of Charlotte. The board determined that the client retained Inhaber to handle a speeding ticket. Inhaber charged and collected a $550 fee which included his fee plus court costs and fines. Inhaber failed to appear in court on the client’s behalf and failed to provide any meaningful legal serv ices for the fee paid. Inhaber transferred to Disability Inactive status by Consent Order on July 9, 2025. 7. An award of $49,510 to a former client of Freddie Lane Jr. of Fayetteville. The board determined that the client retained Lane to handle a personal injury claim from a motor vehicle accident. Lane settled the matter but failed to pay the bal ance of the settlement to the client after receiving his attorney’s fees, paying the costs, and paying the medical bills. Lane misappropriated the settlement funds and was disbarred on October 24, 2014, and died on December 14, 2024. 8. An award of $1,000 to a former client of Colin P. McWhirter of Cherryville. The board determined that the client’s mother retained McWhirter to represent her at a bond hearing. McWhirter charged and col lected a $1,000 fee. The board determined McWhirter failed to provide meaningful legal services for the fee paid. 9. An award of $45,000 to a former client of Mary L. Rogers of Charlotte. The board determined that the client’s mother retained Rogers to represent him on first degree murder and felony robbery charges. Rogers quoted and collected a $45,000 flat fee. Rogers failed to review evidence provid ed and failed to file motions on her client’s behalf. The board determined Rogers failed

At its January 20, 2026, meeting, the North Carolina State Bar Client Security Fund Board of Trustees approved payments of $141,199 to ten applicants who suffered financial losses due to the misconduct of North Carolina lawyers. The payments authorized were: 1. An award of $8,150 to a former client of Juan A. Arreola of Wilson. The board determined that the client retained Arreola to assist with his immigration process and removal proceedings and to file for a change of venue from California to North Carolina. Arreola charged a $15,000 flat fee and col lected $8,150 from the client. Arreola failed to provide any meaningful legal services for the fee paid. Arreola transferred to Disability Inactive status by Consent Order on December 10, 2024. The board previously reimbursed 14 other Arreola clients a total of $61,734. 2. An award of $4,050 to a former client of Juan A. Arreola. The board determined that the client retained Arreola to assist with her immigration process, filing a petition for alien relative, filing for permanent residency, employment authorization, and for travel. Arreola charged and collected a $4,050 flat fee. Arreola failed to provide any meaningful legal services for the fee paid. 3. An award of $3,000 to former clients of Juan A. Arreola. The board determined that the clients retained Arreola to assist them with an adjustment of status, a work permit, and a travel permit. Arreola collect ed $3,000 towards $3,500 fee charged. Arreola failed to provide any meaningful legal services for the fee paid. 4. An award of $2,600 to a former client of Juan A. Arreola. The board determined that the client retained Arreola to assist with her immigration process and seek an adjust ment of status. Arreola charged and collect ed a $2,600 fee. Arreola failed to provide any meaningful legal services for the fee paid. 5. An award of $1,710 to a former client of Baccuhus H. Carver of Lillington. The

to provide meaningful legal services for the fee paid. Rogers’ license was suspended on December 5, 2025. 10. An award of $25,629 to a former client of Mary L. Rogers. The board deter mined that the client retained Rogers to rep resent him on multiple domestic violence charges. Rogers quoted and collected a $25,000 flat fee. The client overpaid Rogers $629 but Rogers failed to reimburse him the overage. Rogers later engaged in an alterca tion with the client which led to her own arrest on assault charges. The board deter mined Rogers failed to provide meaningful legal services for the fee paid. Funds Recovered It is standard practice to send a demand letter to each current or former attorney whose misconduct results in any payment from the fund, seeking full reimbursement or a confession of judgment and agreement to a reasonable payment schedule. If the at torney fails or refuses to do either, counsel to the fund files a lawsuit seeking double dam ages pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §84-13, unless the investigative file clearly establishes that it would be useless to do so. Through these efforts, the fund was able to recover a total of $1,287.82 this past quarter. n

Thank You to Our Quarterly Meeting Sponsor

Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company for sponsoring NC State Bar and NC Bar Association Joint Reception/Dinner

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THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR JOURNAL