State Bar yanks ex-Portsmouth city attorney's law license

The Virginia State Bar revoked the law license of former Portsmouth City Attorney Steven Lieberman for mishandling client funds.

Lieberman, who's been in private practice for 20 years, admitted he violated the State Bar's disciplinary rules and consented to having his license revoked, the State Bar said in a news release.

Lieberman violated rules "that govern fees, diligence, safekeeping property and misconduct that reflects adversely" on his fitness to practice law, the release said.

The violations occurred during his representations in a divorce and in a real estate deal, the State Bar said. Further details were not immediately available.

No one answered the phone Monday at Lieberman's Newtown Road office. A message left was not returned.

Lieberman ha d been licensed to practice law since 1971 and served as Portsmouth city attorney for 10 years until 1989. He resigned following a controversy involving his membership in the then-all-white Bide-A-Wee Golf Club and his attempts, as the city's chief legal counsel, to desegregate the club. The club began admitting blacks that same year.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com