Memphis lawyer indicted for handling of client’s $185,000 settlement check

(Source: Raycom Media)
(Source: Raycom Media)
Published: Feb. 15, 2019 at 5:47 PM CST|Updated: Feb. 15, 2019 at 5:49 PM CST
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MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A disbarred Memphis attorney is facing indictments for forgery and theft after a former client says he forged her signature on a contract and withheld $61,000 from a settlement check.

Paul Springer, 48, lost his license in 2018 and was ordered to repay six other clients in unrelated cases. On Friday, District Attorney General Amy Weirich announced Springer would face charges for his handling of a $185,000 settlement check intended for a client.

According to the DA’s office, the client hired Springer in 2012 to handle a criminal complaint and employment action against the City of Memphis. The client says she signed a contract agreeing to pay $10,000 for the attorney’s services. She paid him $5,200 and had a balance of $4,800.

The DA’s office says the criminal complaint was eventually dropped and the client settled with the City of Memphis for $185,000. In 2016, the client received a check from Springer for $123,850 after he withheld an attorney fee of $61,050.

According to the DA, the client says she never agreed to a contingency fee. Springer later produced a contingent fee retainer contract with the client’s signature, which the client had tested by two forensic document examiners who agreed that at least one document was forged.

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