Oklahoma Supreme Court disbars attorney James Albert Conradi for repeated client neglect, orders $4,833.99 in costs

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Oct. 14, 2025, ordered the disbarment of James Albert Conradi after finding clear and convincing evidence he repeatedly neglected clients, failed to communicate, deposited retainers in his operating account rather than an IOLTA trust account, and pursued meritless federal claims that led to sanctions.The court wrote that “the possibility of respondent continuing to practice law in our state poses too great a danger to its courts and to its people,” and concluded the totality of Conradi’s conduct warranted disbarment under the rules governing disciplinary proceedings.The opinion details multiple client matters in which the court found professional misconduct. In the Gator LLC matter, the court said Conradi resisted alternative dispute resolution, failed to participate in mediation, and did not notify client Jason Clark when arbitration produced an award of nearly $340,000 to Clark’s opponents. The court found Conradi failed to serve defendants and respond to motions in related federal litigation; a federal court dismissed the case, imposed sanctions, and characterized Conradi’s conduct as delaying and disruptive. According to the opinion, Clark paid Conradi roughly $40,000 and “received nothing of value for his money.”In Conradi’s representation of Danette Brooks, the court says Brooks paid a $12,000 retainer but Conradi performed little work, returned only some original documents and deposited the retainer into his operating account rather than an IOLTA account, leaving Brooks unable to proceed with important matters.The court described similar failures in several other matters. Client Jeffrey Arce paid $5,952 for representation that resulted in dismissed federal claims and a separate default judgment against Arce of $17,742.72; Conradi deposited an initial $2,500.68 retainer into his operating account. Jody Navarro and Micah Boggs paid $3,000 for probate assistance that was not filed in the correct county; Conradi did not file the new probate action and did not refund a remaining $1,000 unused retainer.The court also addressed an allegation involving Margaret Laurie (referred to in parts of the record as Lowery), finding the bar had not carried its burden of proof on that count and questioning Laurie’s credibility based on parallel Illinois disciplinary proceedings. For Laurie’s matter the court concluded the bar failed to present clear and convincing evidence of misconduct.The opinion notes that Conradi repeatedly failed to respond to grievance letters and subpoenas from the Oklahoma Bar Association, although it also records that Conradi appeared at the April 21, 2025 disciplinary hearing, apologized, acknowledged failures to communicate, and agreed to assist the bar in locating and returning client files. The court recognized his contrition as a mitigating factor but found it insufficient to avoid disbarment.Given the history of misconduct and prior discipline—including a 2012 suspension and a Tenth Circuit disbarment that triggered a reciprocal proceeding—the court ordered Conradi disbarred and directed him to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceeding in the amount of $4,833.99 within 90 days. The opinion states Conradi may petition for reinstatement no sooner than five years after the effective date of the order.