The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has rejected the state Board of Bar Overseers’ recommendation of disbarment for veteran attorney Peter T. Slipp for a number of violations, including misuse of client funds, instead opting for an indefinite suspension.

Slipp represented Paul and Lorraine Higginbottom for more than forty years in a variety of matters, according to the SJC’s April 11 opinion by Justice Elspeth B. Cypher. In December 2017, the Higginbottoms were set to purchase a new condominium and delivered a check to Slipp to complete the transaction. In January, the sellers’ mortgage company sent the payoff amount to Slipp. Although the deed was transferred to the buyers, Slipp never paid off the mortgage.