WARWICK, R.I. — A Warwick lawyer has consented to disbarment after self-reporting to state disciplinary counsel that he had stolen $1.2 million from clients.

Vincent J. Mitchell, whose practice was at 303 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, reported to Supreme Court Chief Disciplinary Counsel David D. Curtin in late August that he took a total of $1,207,233 from 10 clients to fuel gambling and drug addictions, Curtin said Friday.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday, its first day back in session after summer recess, issued an order disbarring Mitchell effective immediately.

He had been licensed since 2000, with a practice centered on estate planning and long-term health-care planning, Curtin said.

Curtin said Mitchell, who was accompanied by a lawyer, presented him with folders detailing his clients and their losses. They range from a high of $239,000 to $53,000.

The Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit and the state attorney general's office have been contacted and criminal charges are expected to be filed, he said.

Curtin said he is in the process of contacting the affected clients. He declined to name any because several are not yet aware of their losses. He believes some might be in nursing homes.

"It's certainly tragic for the affected families. It's big money for these people," several who have limited means, he said.

Curtin said his office is working to determine whether other clients might have been impacted and the losses are at a higher scale. It appears Mitchell has no assets, but that is being examined too, he said.

Any family who believes they have been affected should call Curtin, 401-823-5710 or the state police financial crimes unit, 401-444-1202.