Court Opinion

ID: 9846434
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:40:42.707636+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:29.644825
License: Public Domain

Thompson, Justice,
dissenting.
I cannot agree with the conclusion reached by the majority that the appropriate level of discipline in this case is a 24-month suspension and a public reprimand. Maples’ repeated violations of Standards 44 and 68 of Bar Rule 4-102 (d) demonstrate a long pattern of disregard for the rules of professional conduct which must be observed by those who are authorized to practice law in the state of Georgia. See, e.g., In the Matter of Smith, 271 Ga. 432 (520 SE2d 903) (1999) (attorney disbarred for violating Standards 44 and 68, even though there were no prior disciplinary infractions). After multiple reprimands, admonitions, and suspensions, spanning a period of more than 20 years, Maples continues to disregard the rules of professional conduct. Given this continuous course of misconduct, the refusal to acknowledge the wrongful nature of the conduct, and the continuing failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities, I believe that the appropriate punishment in this case is disbarment.
I am authorized to state that Justice Hunstein joins in this dissent.