Former City Councilman Reinstated
The Georgia Supreme Court has reinstated a disbarred attorney who had been an Atlanta City Councilman
In connection with his Application, Willis filed a statement of rehabilitation in accordance with In re Cason, 249 Ga. 806, 808-809 (294 SE2d 520) (1982), in which he explains that “[b]etween the years of 2010 and 2013 . . . [his] nearly seventeen . . . year marriage . . . was clearly coming to an end,” “everything [he] had worked so hard to build in [his] professional and civic life seemed to be on the same treacherous path,” and he “fell into a state of analysis paralysis.” Willis further states that, following his divorce and disbarment, he lost his bid for re-election to the Atlanta City Council, such that “[t]hree of the most significant accomplishments of [his] life . . . had all come to a very difficult end and it all played out very publicly both in television and print.” Willis also states that, since his disbarment, he has paid all funds due; turned to prayer, exercise, meditation, counseling, and journaling; developed a business with his son; ventured into the world of government and 3 public affairs by opening a consulting business; served on the Board of Advisors for a real estate development company; and was approved to serve on the Atlanta Beltline Technical Advisory Board.
Also in connection with his application, Willis submitted letters of recommendation from five attorneys and one Atlanta city council member. All of these individuals have known Willis for at least twelve years and describe him as an “upstanding member of the community,” an “excellent person . . . [who] has taken full responsibility for any mistakes he may have made,” a “new and better version of himself” following his disbarment, a “trusted and respected” colleague, a man who has done the “‘[h]ard work’ and the ‘[h]eart work’ on his journey to healing and redemption,” and someone who “has always generously given of his time and resources.”
As part of its investigation, the Fitness Board provided notice to the State Bar of Georgia and to the Bar membership and Chief Judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit where Willis had practiced; provided newspaper notice to the public in the area where Willis had 4 practiced; and sought confirmation from the Clients’ Security Fund that no restitution was due. See Part A, Section 10 (d) (1)-(4) of the Rules. The Fitness Board received no response from members of the public or the judiciary, but the State Bar responded that, at the time of Willis’s disbarment, he had one grievance pending against him, which was “declared moot” based on his disbarment. The State Bar also has informed this Court that it does not intend to reactivate that grievance. The Clients’ Security Fund responded that Willis owed $4,800, which he immediately paid after this debt was brought to his attention. At an informal conference convened before the Fitness Board, Willis took full responsibility for his past conduct and explained that, since his disbarment, he has built a business, created a better life for himself and his children, and reestablished his reputation in the community. After considering Willis’s testimony and written submissions, the Fitness Board concluded that he had, by clear and convincing evidence, carried his burden of demonstrating rehabilitation and recommended a Certification of Fitness be issued to Willis for readmission. See In re Cason, 249 Ga. 806, 808-809 (294 SE2d 520) (1982) (bar admission applicant bears burden to establish rehabilitation by clear and convincing evidence, and “rehabilitation is the reestablishment of the reputation of a person by his or her restoration to a useful and constructive place in society,” including “[t]he requirement of positive action”).
(Mike Frisch)