Left Wanting More

The Georgia Supreme Court has rejected a “woefully inadequate” petition for voluntary discipline.

The attorney had received a $4,500 retainer for a criminal appeal. Trouble was, the appeal was dismissed by the time he entered his appearence. He only returned $375 to the client, claiming “in conclusory fashion and without explanation – that he is unable to refund any more.”

He sought a review panel reprimand.

The court was not satisfied with the state of the record and had questions: “…we are unwilling in this case to impose something less than the most severe sanction for this violation without, at the very least, a more fulsome explanation of the reasons that no more has been refunded to the client.”

Further, the attorney had two prior instances of formal discipline.(Mike Frisch)