Missouri Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Susan K. Roach
The court issued an indefinite suspension over ethics violations regarding excessive fees and client trust fund mishandling.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Crime — General
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The Missouri Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended attorney Susan K. Roach for multiple instances of professional misconduct. The ruling mandates that Roach must wait at least three years before she is eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Why it matters
The court determined these disciplinary actions were necessary after finding that Roach engaged in significant ethics rule violations involving unreasonable fees and conflicts of interest. The suspension serves to address her failure to handle client trust account funds properly.
The Missouri Supreme Court suspended Roach indefinitely on October 23, 2026, prohibiting any application for reinstatement for a minimum of three years. The ruling follows investigations into billing practices that included charging for search engine use.
The players
Susan K. Roach
Susan K. Roach is an attorney who faced disciplinary action from the Missouri Supreme Court for professional misconduct.
Missouri Supreme Court
The Missouri Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the state responsible for the regulation of the legal profession.
Missouri State Highway Patrol
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the state agency that initiated the traffic stop involving the clients in 2022.
The details
Roach charged two clients a combined $50,500, including $13,750 for a single court appearance that factored in first-class airfare, hotel costs, and 17 hours of travel time. The court found that she moved client funds from a trust account before earning the fees and failed to conduct necessary separate client interviews or obtain required conflict waivers.
Timeline
Clients were stopped by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2022.
Roach attended the initial court appearance for clients on July 13, 2022.
Billing statements for post-July work were provided by Roach on September 28, 2022.
The Missouri Supreme Court suspended Susan K. Roach on October 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This disciplinary action reflects the state's rigorous enforcement of the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct regarding fee transparency and fiduciary duties. The ruling aligns with broader judicial efforts to maintain professional standards and protect clients from unreasonable billing practices.
Clients seeking legal representation in Missouri are reminded of their right to clear, transparent billing statements and the requirement for conflict waivers. If you believe your attorney has mishandled trust funds or charged unreasonable fees, you may contact the state disciplinary office.
The takeaway
Maintaining professional ethics is a cornerstone of the legal system, ensuring that clients receive fair representation without predatory billing. Attorneys and clients alike should remain informed about the strict rules governing trust accounts and fee agreements to avoid conflicts of interest.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings and state mandates, visit the Missouri Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Missouri Lawyers Media.
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