In the Supreme Court of Georgia

Decided: July 2, 2024

S24Z0940. IN THE MATTER OF CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL 

HOWLETTE.

PER CURIAM.

This matter is before the Court on Christopher Michael 

Howlette’s Application for Certification of Fitness to Practice Law 

pursuant to Part A, Section 10 of the Rules Governing Admission to 

the Practice of Law in Georgia (the “Rules”). Howlette was originally 

admitted to the Bar in 1998 and worked at the Clayton County District 

Attorney’s Office from 1998-2000, the Fulton County District 

Attorney’s Office from 2000-2001, and Shivers & Associates from 2001-

2007. He has worked as a paralegal at Bush & Miller, P.C. since 2008, 

and the record shows that his current employer has been satisfied with 

his performance and would recommend him for a position of trust. 
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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. 

Asserting that he has not used illegal drugs since 2007 and that 

he has been rehabilitated, Howlette seeks readmission to the State 

Bar of Georgia. Following review of his application and his 

appearance at an informal conference, the Board to Determine Fitness 

of Bar Applicants (the “Fitness Board”) voted to recommend granting 

Howlette’s application. The application is now before this Court for 
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final adjudication. See Bar Admission Rules, Part A, Section 10 (e) 

(“The Supreme Court shall make the final determination regarding 

certification of fitness” of attorneys applying for readmission to the 

practice of law). 

In connection with his application for readmission, Howlette filed 

a Statement of Use, wherein he states that he was introduced to 

cocaine in late 2003 or early 2004 which eventually turned into a 

dependency upon the drug. However, he states that he sought help 

from professionals and has not used drugs since 2007 and that his 

“past experiences have helped [him] grow and mature, leading [him] 

to a point where [he] can confidently affirm [his] commitment to 

responsible behavior.” Howlette also filed a Statement of 

Rehabilitation, in accordance with In re Cason, 249 Ga. 806 (294 SE2d 

520) (1982), wherein he acknowledged that he “made choices and 

engaged in behaviors that were contrary to the values and principles 

of the legal profession” which led to his arrest and disbarment. 

Howlette states that he has since “undertaken a journey of selfimprovement and personal growth with a strong focus on 
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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. 

 Additionally, in connection with his application, Howlette 

submitted letters of recommendation from his life coach and two 

attorneys, one of which is his current supervisor. Each 

“wholeheartedly” endorses Howlette’s readmission to the Bar. His life 

coach states that she has witnessed his “remarkable transformation 
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and unwavering commitment to personal growth, recovery, and 

community service” since 2008. His supervisor notes that Howlette is 

a man with “impeccable character and moral standing in our 

community” who has “dedicated countless hours to community service, 

non-profit organizations[,] and volunteer activities.” She further 

states that Howlette “has demonstrated a level of personal growth, 

responsibility, and dedication that would make him a valuable asset 

to the legal profession.” A separate attorney attests to Howlette’s 

“unwavering commitment to the legal profession and his dedication to 

personal growth and rehabilitation.” 

As part of its investigation the Fitness Board provided notice and 

an opportunity for the State Bar to present relevant information; 

provided notice to the bar membership and Chief Judges where 

Howlette had practiced; provided newspaper notice to the public in the 

area where Howlette had practiced; and sought confirmation from the 

Client Security Fund that no restitution was due. See Part A, Section 

10 (d) (1)-(4) of the Rules. The Fitness Board received no responses to 

the notices filed in the Daily Report and no responses from the Clayton 
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or Atlanta Bar Associations or the Chief Judges of the Atlanta or 

Clayton Judicial Circuits. The State Bar responded that there were 

no grievances pending against Howlette at the time of his disbarment 

and that the State Bar had no information regarding Howlette’s 

reputation in the Georgia legal community and no knowledge of his 

conduct following his disbarment. The Client Security Fund 

responded that Howlette owed it no restitution. 

The Fitness Board requested Howlette to submit to a random 

drug test, which he passed. After receiving the negative drug test from 

Howlette, the Fitness Board held an informal conference with him 

where he took full responsibility for his past conduct and described his 

journey in overcoming his addiction and in reestablishing himself in 

the community and as a responsible employee and father. After 

considering Howlette’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 granting certification of fitness to Howlette for 

readmission. See Cason, 249 Ga. at 808-809 (bar admission applicant 
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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”).

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. 

Certification of fitness for readmission granted. All the Justices 

concur.