The South Carolina Supreme Court has formally disbarred Jason F. Taylor, bringing a definitive end to a disciplinary saga that spanned years of professional misconduct and erratic behavior. In a per curiam opinion filed October 21, 2026, the court accepted an agreement for discipline by consent, retroactively removing Taylor from the practice of law effective from his initial interim suspension on November 3, 2020.
This decision, documented in Opinion No. 28353, marks the conclusion of a complex investigation involving four distinct matters of misconduct, ranging from the misappropriation of client funds to criminal charges involving the pointing and presenting of firearms.
Financial Mismanagement and Breach of Trust
In one case, Matter A, Taylor was accused of fabricating the retention of a pyrotechnics expert to secure a $5,000 retainer payment from his co-counsel, W.L. According to the court’s findings, Taylor never actually retained the expert; instead, he deposited the funds into his own operating account to cover rent and personal expenses. Later, in the settlement of a minor’s products liability case, Taylor misrepresented expenses to a federal court, claiming thousands of dollars in costs that were never incurred, and subsequently diverted those funds for his own use.
A second financial breach, Matter B, involved an incarcerated client, S.M. After a $27,500 settlement was reached in a personal injury case, Taylor deposited the funds into his firm’s trust account in February 2019 but failed to disburse the money to his client. By August 2020, the balance in that trust account had dwindled to just $50. While Taylor eventually repaid the funds using personal money in August 2021, the court noted that he failed to properly notify the receiver appointed to oversee his practice of the outstanding disbursements, violating rules regarding cooperation and transparency during his suspension.
Confrontations with Law Enforcement
Beyond the financial improprieties, the court reviewed incidents where Taylor’s use of a firearm drew the attention of authorities. In October 2020, Taylor engaged in a confrontation with a Charleston police officer and a cadet who were investigating a noise complaint near his downtown home. Taylor advanced toward the cadet while pointing a firearm, prompting an arrest on a felony charge of pointing and presenting a firearm.
The Path to Disbarment
The disciplinary process, overseen by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), reached its conclusion after Taylor admitted to violating multiple Rules of Professional Conduct, including those prohibiting dishonesty, fraud, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. As part of the agreement, Taylor is required to pay the costs of the investigation and must complete the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Trust Account School should he ever seek reinstatement in the future.
In his defense, Taylor submitted an affidavit highlighting personal obstacles overcome during his path to becoming a lawyer, as well as his history of community service, particularly with veterans and first-responders.
