The attorney-client relationship is built on a sacred foundation of trust, especially when it comes to handling money. When a lawyer compromises that trust, the consequences are severe, often ending in the permanent loss of their license. The case of John E. Tresslar, a Missouri attorney, serves as a profound warning about the non-negotiable duty of financial stewardship, illustrating how serious trust account violations, client neglect, and dishonesty led directly to his disbarment by the Supreme Court of Missouri.
A Pattern of Misconduct: From Neglect to Deception
Tresslar’s downfall was not triggered by a single misstep but by a repeated and severe pattern of misconduct spanning multiple client cases and years of his practice.
1. Misappropriation and Failure to Satisfy Liens
In one matter involving a personal injury and workers’ compensation client, Tresslar’s actions moved from poor practice to outright ethical violation:
- The Missing $51,220: After settling the client’s personal injury claim, Tresslar received the proceeds. He was required to hold $51,220 of those funds to pay an insurer’s subrogation lien, but he failed to disburse the money.
- Unauthorized Representation: When the insurer sued to recover the funds, Tresslar compounded his error by filing legal answers on his former client’s behalf without the client’s knowledge or consent, a major violation of the rules governing client authority.
- Two-Year Cover-Up: A court judgment was entered against both Tresslar and the client. Tresslar not only failed to inform his former client of the devastating judgment but took over two and a half years to finally satisfy the debt he was responsible for.
2. Neglect and Dubious Billing
In another case, Tresslar was hired to represent two daughters in separate matters for an $8,500 retainer.
- For over a year, he delivered very little progress and failed to communicate with the retaining client.
- When the client terminated the representation and asked for a refund, Tresslar produced a suspiciously undated bill for $4,000 to justify retaining a large portion of the unearned fee, demonstrating improper billing and poor communication.
The Unforgivable Sin: Trust Account Violations
The most damning evidence against Tresslar came from an audit of his financial records. An attorney’s trust account (IOLTA) is sacrosanct; it is the repository for client money and must be managed with meticulous care. Tresslar’s practices were found to be grossly deficient:
- He failed to keep basic, required records, such as individual client ledgers and disbursement journals.
- He improperly commingled client funds, moving money from the trust account into his operating account without proper documentation.
- Crucially, he allowed the trust account balance to fall below the amount he was required to hold for his clients, creating a shortage that proved client funds had been compromised.
The Disciplinary Hearing Panel concluded that Tresslar’s conduct was driven by a dishonest motive and that he was dishonest during the investigation itself factors the court weighs heavily against leniency.
Conclusion: Disbarment as the Only Option
The Missouri Supreme Court acknowledged Tresslar’s arguments regarding personal challenges, including health issues, but ultimately ruled that such factors could not mitigate the severity of his misconduct. His continuous failure to safeguard client funds, compounded by neglect and deception against both clients and the court, was an unacceptable betrayal of his oath.
In October 2020, the Missouri Supreme Court delivered its final verdict: disbarment. His right and license to practice law were permanently revoked. The case of John E. Tresslar is a definitive statement from the judiciary: a lawyer who cannot be trusted with client money, who deceives those who rely on him, and who obstructs a disciplinary inquiry has forfeited the privilege of membership in the legal profession.