Case Name: IN THE MATTER OF STEVEN SALCEDO
Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 2015-09-14
Citations: 297 Ga. 725
Docket Number: S15Y1146
Parties: IN THE MATTER OF STEVEN SALCEDO.
Judges: All the Justices concur.
Reporter: Georgia Reports
Volume: 297
Pages: 725–726

Head Matter:
S15Y1146.
IN THE MATTER OF STEVEN SALCEDO.
(777 SE2d 478)

Opinion:
Per curiam.
This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Notice of Discipline seeking the disbarment of Steven Salcedo (State Bar No. 382035). The State Bar attempted to serve Salcedo personally at the address listed with the State Bar, which was a post office box, but Salcedo did not acknowledge service of the disciplinary pleadings within 20 days of mailing. The State Bar then properly served Salcedo by publication, pursuant to Bar Rule 4-203.1 (b) (3) (ii). Salcedo failed to file a Notice of Rejection. Therefore, he is in default, has waived his rights to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and further proceedings as may be determined by this Court. See Bar Rule 4-208.1 (b).
The facts, as deemed admitted by virtue of Salcedo's default, show that he represented a client in two medical malpractice actions regarding complications resulting from an allergy shot and complications resulting from laser ablation. After the client provided Salcedo with information and documentation regarding her claims, Salcedo filed a suit regarding the allergy shot. However, after he failed to appear at a status conference, that suit was dismissed for want of prosecution, and he did not inform the client that her suit had been dismissed. Salcedo failed to file any suit regarding the laser ablation and further failed to inform the client that no suit had been filed. Salcedo also failed promptly to respond to the client's attempts at communication and to provide the client with her client files.
Decided September 14, 2015.
Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, Rebecca A. Hall, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.
Based on these facts, the Investigative Panel found probable cause to believe that Salcedo violated Rules 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.16 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.2 and 1.3 is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.4 and 1.16 is a public reprimand. In aggravation of discipline, the Investigative Panel found that Salcedo had abandoned two of his client's claims, suggesting a pattern of misconduct, and that he obstructed the disciplinary process by failing to respond to the Notice of Discipline.
Having reviewed the record, we conclude that disbarment is the appropriate sanction in this matter. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the name of Steven Salcedo be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Salcedo is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred.
All the Justices concur.