Branson attorney disbarred in state Supreme Court decision

Branson attorney Eric Farris was disbarred to practice law by a 4-3 vote last week of the Missouri Supreme Court.

According to Branson Tri-Lakes News, Farris was accused of misconduct and misappropriation of client funds in 2010 and had been suspended by a court-appointed disciplinary hearing panel.

In a 35-page brief, the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel cited settlement funds for two of Farris’ clients that were intended to cover their medical bills. The money – over $200,000, according to the two counts against Farris – was to be held in an Interest on Lawyer Trust Account. Court records state that at least $66,000 “was transferred to Farris’ office account, where it was used to pay his personal and business expenses.”

Farris has said in court his ex-wife and former employee, Elisabeth Farris, was responsible for misappropriating the funds, according to Branson Tri-Lakes News. She was charged in May 2014 with two counts of stealing $25,000 or more and is scheduled for a pretrial conference Oct. 5 in Greene County courts.
 
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