Fitness Established
An attorney who had surrendered his license is eligible for return to practice, according to a decision of the Georgia Supreme Court
In 2008, this Court accepted Howlette’s petition for voluntary surrender of license, which he filed pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 (b) prior to the issuance of a formal complaint. In the Matter of Howlette, 283 Ga. 83 (656 SE2d 534) (2008). In the opinion accepting Howlette’s voluntary surrender of his law license, this Court noted that Howlette was scheduled to plead guilty to the sale of cocaine, the sale of MDMA, and the sale of ketamine, and the resulting convictions would constitute felonies and violations of Rule 8.4 of Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Id. at 83. The voluntary surrender of Howlette’s license was tantamount to disbarment. Id. Howlette was sentenced under the First Offender Act and subsequently completed all requirements of his probation and was discharged without an adjudication of guilt on May 23, 2016.
He submitted evidence in support of his present fitness
Howlette states that he has since “undertaken a journey of selfimprovement and personal growth with a strong focus on rehabilitation.” Howlette further states that he has been honest with his family about his prior drug use; continued his studies of legal ethics and professionalism; joined the finance committee and annual retreats of his church; started a non-profit soccer organization with volunteer coaches and coached soccer at South Fulton Middle School for several years; worked with the Rena Carter Foundation (to disrupt generational poverty); volunteered with several food banks; and is currently a board member of the KapEx Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that raises money for college scholarships and promotes diversity and entrepreneurship. Howlette has also prioritized his mental health by seeking counseling from his Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, his church clergy, and a life coach to address the issues that contributed to his past behavior and addiction.
He also tested as drug free
Upon consideration of the entire record, we agree that Howlette has shown that he is entitled to be certified as fit to practice law in Georgia. Accordingly, as it appears that Howlette has satisfied all of the requirements for approval of his application for certification of fitness, see Bar Admission Rules, Part A, Section 10, this Court hereby grants Howlette’s application for certification of fitness and orders that, upon satisfaction of all of the requirements of Part B of the Rules, including taking and passing the Georgia Bar Examination, Howlette may be readmitted as an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia.
(Mike Frisch)