IN RE: Edward C. NIX (2026)

ORDER

By opinion filed June 11, 2025, this Court publicly reprimanded Respondent for his professional misconduct arising from his arrest on various criminal charges. In re Nix, 446 S.C. 68, 918 S.E.2d 244 (2025). In the opinion, the Court directed Respondent, as a condition of discipline, to undergo a drug abuse assessment conducted by Lawyers Helping Lawyers (LHL) within two months to determine whether he required any additional services or treatments; to thereafter comply with any recommendations made by LHL; and for Respondent's compliance to be monitored by the Commission on Lawyer Conduct. Id. at 71, 918 S.E.2d at 245.

On August 17, 2026, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition requesting that this Court issue an order requiring Respondent to show cause why he should not be held in civil and/or criminal contempt of this Court and punished accordingly for intentionally and willfully failing to complete the required drug abuse assessment and cooperate with the Commission in violation of this Court's June 11, 2025 opinion.

On September 17, 2026, the Court directed Respondent to serve and file on or before September 28, 2026, either written proof that he has completed the required drug abuse assessment or an affidavit setting forth the reasons he has failed to comply. Respondent was warned that should he fail to timely submit either proof of compliance or an affidavit explaining his failure to comply, he would be subject to interim suspension. Respondent failed to timely submit either proof of compliance or an affidavit explaining his failure to comply.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Respondent's license to practice law in this state is suspended until further order of this Court. See Rule 17(c), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR (providing a lawyer may be placed on interim suspension for failing to comply with a directive of the Supreme Court). We decline to issue a rule to show cause at this time.

s/ John W. Kittredge, C.J.

FOR THE COURT