Christopher Pettit, ex-San Antonio lawyer accused of stealing millions, has ‘medically related issues,’ his attorney says

Ex-San Antonio attorney Christopher “Chris” Pettit has been sued for allegedly absconding with his former law clients’ money. He’s landed in bankruptcy and he’s surrendered his law license. He’s also dealing with “medically related issues,” his attorney disclosed during the first hearing in Pettit’s massive bankruptcy case. Bankruptcy lawyer Michael Colvard declined to reveal his client’s medical issues but told a San Antonio judge Wednesday that Pettit was referred to another lawyer who works closely with the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program. The program helps attorneys who have “substance use and other mental health issues,” according to its website. “He’s receiving treatment,” Colvard said to Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta. “He may be seeking treatment in in-care facilities for those medical conditions.”

Pettit, who specialized in estate planning and personal-injury law, has been sued at least 14 times by former clients who say he stole millions of dollars from them. He has issued general denials to the allegations in some of the cases but has entered into judgments with some plaintiffs — agreeing to pay them actual and punitive damages. Pettit and his law firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection June 1, essentially putting a hold on the pending litigation. He listed $27.8 million in assets and $115.2 million in liabilities in his personal bankruptcy, making it one of the largest ever filed in San Antonio. He has given up his law license in lieu of disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas. Gargotta agreed to the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee who will essentially act as a CEO or manager to shepherd the bankruptcy cases and appoint professionals, including forensic accountants to track down money and other assets for the benefit of Pettit’s former clients and other creditors. “A considerable amount of that money is missing — and we’re talking $50 million or more,” Raymond Battaglia, who represents one of Pettit’s former clients, said during the hearing.