The Georgia Supreme Court accepted a voluntary suspension of two years with conditions  in a matter where the attorney admitted neglect of several client matters and failure to respond to the ensuing bar complaints.

For example

a client retained him to help her obtain visitation with her son during the approaching holidays; he told the client he would be able to file an appropriate motion so that she would have visitation with her son; he failed to respond to the client’s phone calls until after the holidays had passed; although he worked on the case, he failed to get the client visitation with her son during the holidays; and he was personally served with a Notice of Investigation regarding the matter but failed to respond in accordance with the Bar Rules.

And

a client retained him to represent her grandson in a probation revocation; he refused to assist the grandson with a blind plea after the court denied bond to the grandson and consequently, was discharged by the grandson; and he was personally served with a Notice of Investigation regarding the matter but failed to respond in accordance with the Bar Rules.

The agreement on disposition

In this matter, Hentz requests that this Court impose a suspension of at least twelve months, with specific conditions on his reinstatement, namely, that he repay the unearned fees in SDB Docket Nos. 6760, 6761, 6762, 6763, and 6764, and that, no earlier than three months before requesting reinstatement, he must provide the Bar with certification from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist stating that he is mentally competent to return to the practice of law. In mitigation of discipline, Hentz states that he suffered significant personal and emotional problems, including his son’s suicide, marital problems affecting his marriage of thirty-five years, his wife’s diagnosis with a rare cardiac disease, his youngest son’s drug addiction and incarceration, his daughter’s drug addiction and the termination of her parental rights, his inability to keep up with his Continuing Legal Education requirements, the foreclosure of the building he owned containing his law office, and the death of his canine companion. In the face of the instant disciplinary proceedings, Hentz contacted the State Bar’s Lawyers’ Assistance Program and has been in therapy with a psychologist for approximately nine months…

At the conclusion of the suspension imposed in this matter, Hentz may seek reinstatement by demonstrating to the State Bar’s Office of General Counsel that he has met the conditions on reinstatement. If the State Bar agrees that the conditions have been met, it will submit a notice of compliance to this Court, and this Court will issue an order granting or denying reinstatement.

(Mike Frisch)