Court Opinion

ID: 9581156
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:12:06.599025+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:44.700533
License: Public Domain

HUNSTEIN, Justice,
dissenting.
The State Bar filed three Formal Complaints against David G. Hammock. The majority of this Court has accepted the recommendation of the special master to impose more than a six-month suspension as an appropriate sanction by imposing a two-year suspension. I would conclude that the violations by Hammock in the matters recited by the majority warrant the discipline of disbarment. The majority has not pointed to any mitigating factors in this case. In aggravation of discipline the majority finds not only that Hammock *388has received an interim suspension, but also a Review Panel reprimand in an unrelated disciplinary matter, and a public reprimand based on conduct similar to that described in this case. I am persuaded that the number of infractions, Hammock’s prior disciplinary record, as well as his substantial experience in the practice of law justify an increase in the level of discipline imposed. Accordingly, because I disagree with the majority that suspension is appropriate discipline, I respectfully dissent.
Decided September 13, 2004.
William R Smith III, General Counsel State Bar, Paula J. Frederick, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.
Phillips & Kitchings, Richard D. Phillips, for Hammock.
I am authorized to state that Justice Thompson joins in this dissent.