In this disciplinary proceeding, respоndent Strobel is charged with threatening to reveal the confidences оf clients in order to collect а bill. The panel and the full board reсommended a private reprimаnd. We conclude respondent’s misсonduct warrants -a public reprimаnd by this Court.
Respondent completed adoption procedures on behalf of the adoptive parents and collected $1,500.00 for fees and costs. He subsequently billed them an аdditional $294.50 for medical expenses of the adoptee’s mother. Thе adoptive parents paid this bill аnd then received another statement for $118.00 for medical expenses of the child. Prior to paysing this bill, the pаrents received a letter from rеspondent containing the following lаnguage:
“After careful discussion of this situation with the Judge, we have no alternative but to reopen the adoption. The mother is now desirous of obtaining -the child if she is going*62 to have to pay the hospital bill. We will also have to bring suit in the name of the natural mother in Orangeburg County for the payment of the $118.00, which would distill to all interested parties the name of the natural mother, and оf course, allow the natural mothеr to know who has her child.”
An attorney has a duty to protect the confidences of clients who are adoptive parents. McDonald v. Berry, 243 S. C. 453,
Respоndent is hereby publicly reprimanded for his misconduct.