“An Alarming Lack Of Familiarity With Fundamental Legal Procedure”

The Georgia Supreme Court has disbarred an attorney for lack of diligencein several matters

In one

the special master noted that at the hearing she “continued to display an alarming lack of familiarity with fundamental legal procedure.” She acknowledged that she did not file an answer because she did not take the Formal Complaint seriously, but blamed others for her lack of concern, did not file a formal motion to open default, and did not show any legal basis for opening default. In her motion for extension of time Starling stated that it was based on illness that had taken her out of the county since May 2013 before the filing of the Formal Complaint. But the Formal Complaint was filed in July 2012, she acknowledged service in August 2012, and her answer was due in September 2012.

DouglasNow.com reported on criminal charges against the attorney and noted

Starling has made statewide headlines recently as the attorney for Diana Jacobs, the former operator of the Rosewood Manor assisted living facility in Nicholls who was recently charged with concealing a death and financial transaction card fraud after the remains of a former resident of the center were found buried on the property last month.

Most recently, while representing Jacobs during a bond hearing last week, Starling appeared disoriented in court, referring to her client as a male on several occasions. Judge Gillis ultimately stopped the hearing due to her condition.

Starling’s license to practice law in the State of Georgia was temporarily suspended in February of this year after she failed to respond to a notice of investigation by the State Bar. Her license was reinstated in March.

(Mike Frisch)