Texas lawyer allegedly stole millions from clients, multiple lawsuits claim

A Texas lawyer is facing mounting accusations that he has stolen millions of dollars from clients. At least 10 lawsuits have been filed against attorney Christopher “Chris” Pettit in state district court in San Antonio and elsewhere over the past nine months. The most recent was Wednesday. John Muller, a San Antonio attorney representing a woman who says in a court filing that Pettit “absconded” with about $2.8 million that belongs to her, estimated the amount of client money involved tops $40 million. He based that on conversations he’s had with other lawyers.

“Chris has embarrassed himself, and really our entire legal profession,” Muller said. “There are a number of very capable attorneys, including myself, who are dedicated to ensuring that all of the victims receive restitution.” Neither Pettit nor his lawyers immediately responded to requests for comment Thursday. Pettit has given general denials to the allegations in responses to some of the lawsuits. Fort Worth lawyer Craig Crockett has sued Pettit and his firm on behalf of a client who alleged they stole more than $950,000 — the client’s entire inheritance. “There’s a surefire way to get your ticket punched as a lawyer, and that’s stealing client money,” Crockett said. “You’re done” practicing law. “This guy did not just borrow a little money from a client and failed to pay it back,” Crockett added. “This is a Ponzi scheme.” Pettit has used one client’s money to pay another client back on at least two occasions, Crockett said. San Antonio lawyer Sean B. McNelis, who represents a New Braunfels homebuilder suing Pettit and his firm, said he’s been contacted by the FBI as part of an investigation into Pettit. No criminal cases are pending against Pettit. Pettit graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1988. He has been in private practice specializing in estate-planning and personal-injury law, according to his firm’s website.