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Published on 7/3/2008
Written by Scott Harper

A Georgetown attorney has been suspended from practicing law for the next nine months as a result of a ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Kenneth Mitchum, who has practiced law in Georgetown County since the 1970s, appealed a ruling by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel which placed the suspension on Mitchum after allegations made by a client were investigated. The high court filed its ruling June 30.
According to the Supreme Court documents, Mitchum filed a lawsuit on behalf of a client — not named in the documents — but took no further action, which resulted in the dismissal of the suit. Mitchum failed to tell his client the case had been dismissed and failed to restore the case within the allotted time period.
Mitchum also “falsely represented to the client he had filed suit on her behalf in another matter. When he eventually filed the suit, he failed to effect service on the defendants despite representing to the client that he had done so,” the documents state.
The Court also found Mitchum failed to notify one of his clients that the State Board of Education decided to suspend her teaching permit.
“The client did not learn of the suspension until after the period for appeal had expired.
In this same matter, (Mitchum) recommended the client file suit against the board and thereafter assured her he had filed such a suit on her behalf when in fact he never filed the suit,” the court states in its ruling.
He also “failed to keep the client reasonably informed of the status of her cases and failed to promptly comply with the client’s reasonable requests for information.”
Mitchum, as a result of the ruling, “admits misconduct and consents to” the nine-month suspension, the documents state.
This is not Mitchum’s first legal trouble.
In 1998, the State Supreme Court upheld a 90-day suspension after Mitchum pled guilty to failure to file a quarterly withholding tax return.
He also received a public reprimand in 1998 after he “failed to perform any meaningful work” for clients who hired him to do legal work on an adoption.

Mitchum won't have any trouble supporting his family. Before you feel sorry for him, remember who his biggest client is and how deep her pockets are. She'll make him a manager of one of her companies and he'll continue to live the high life.

Posted by Guru on 7/11/2008

This is no surprise. We predicted this long ago! Too bad for his many clients.

Posted by SC citizen on 7/7/2008

If you would read the article and the order, Kenny admitted he made a mistake and has accepted the nine month suspension. He is more of a man than any of those who fail to admit when they are wrong. I would hope that we could stop demeaning this man, and consider what would happen to any of us if we could not earn a living for nine months.

Posted by A caring Georgetown resident on 7/6/2008

How many times can this guy get suspended before people realize he should not be a attorney? Why do people still use him?

Posted by Courious on 7/6/2008

The opinion says it was a consent agreement. He admitted everything and consented to the punishment. http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/displayOpinion.cfm?caseNo=26514

Posted by Georgetown on 7/5/2008

The story says Kenny APPEALED the ruling. He admitted nothing. Typical Kenny. He won't take responsibility for his behavior. Just like Ron Charlton refuses to take responsibility for those illegitimate kids. Questions? Remember this is not Kenny's first suspension.

Posted by Elizabeth street resident on 7/4/2008

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone..." Mr. Mitchum is human. I know of hundreds of people that he has represented with great skill and expertise. During the next nine months, I am certain that Mr. Mitchum will learn from his mistakes like we all do. Mr. Mitchum, this too shall pass and your career will be back on track.

Posted by Cam One on 7/4/2008

You know there is always some idiot who wants to say something stupid like "shoot him" as a comment. Sid Glick, get a life! Mr. Mitchum admitted to these allegations and will now pay for his mistakes. Enough said.

Posted by Cheryl on 7/4/2008

This guy is Ron Charlton's attorney. Figures. Two birds of a feather.

Posted by Elizabeth street resident on 7/4/2008

You know lawyers. It couldn't be his fault... no way!!! Yeah... right...

Posted by Duhhh on 7/4/2008

shoot him

Posted by sid glick on 7/4/2008

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