A Fort Smith attorney and accountant will no longer practice the law after he admitted to taking more than $100,000 of his firm's money for personal use, according to the state's highest court.
On Thursday, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued an order that accepted the voluntary surrender of the law license of Michael Redd and ordered his name removed from the state's registry of attorneys.
Redd, who has practiced law since 1987, joined as a partner at the Fort Smith firm of Robertson, Beasley, Shipley & Redd, PLLC in October 2014.
Also a certified public accountant, Redd was put in charge of the firm's finances. According to a petition he filed with the court:
"Funds that belong to the law firm became missing. The amount will likely be in excess of $100,000. ... [An audit will show] that I am responsible for the conversion of these funds to my own use."
Redd told the court that he admitted to his "conduct" when confronted by firm members and, "in order to avoid the expense, stress, and publicity" involved in disbarment proceedings, he elected to surrender his license.
In his petition with the court, Redd said he has since made restitution to the firm.
Officials at the firm were unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.
Metro on 05/06/2016