
    597 S.E.2d 781
    In the Matter of Todd Anthony STRICH, Respondent.
    Supreme Court of South Carolina.
    May 20, 2004.
   ORDER

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking this Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(a), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, because he has been indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in violation of S.C.Code Ann. § 44-53-370(b)(l) (1985). The petition also seeks appointment of an attorney to protect the interests of respondent’s clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR.

IT IS ORDERED that the petition is granted and respondent is suspended, pursuant to Rule 17, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, from the practice of law in this State until further order of the Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Paul Daniel Schwartz, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for respondent’s client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office account(s) respondent may maintain. Mr. Schwartz shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Schwartz may make disbursements from respondent’s trust account(s), escrow accounts), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts) respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.

This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating accounts of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Paul Daniel Schwartz, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that Paul Daniel Schwartz, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent’s mail and the authority to direct that respondent’s mail be delivered to Mr. Schwartz’s office.

This appointment shall be for a period of no longer than nine months unless request is made to this Court for an extension.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ Jean H. Toal C.J.

FOR THE COURT  