Beruflich Dokumente
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STATE OF GEORGIA
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
NOTICE OF DISCIPLINE
The Office of the General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia has been
directed by the Investigative Panel of the State Disciplinary Board to issue a
Notice of Discipline for disbarment against Respondent Walter Linton Moore,
in the above-referenced cases. This Notice is issued pursuant to Bar Rule
4-208.1 of the Rules and Regulations for the Organization and Government of
the State Bar of Georgia. The Investigative Panel shows the Court the
following in support of this Notice:
1.
After full investigation, the Investigative Panel of the State Disciplinary
Board has found probable cause to believe that Respondent has violated
Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 3.2,
8.4(a)(4) and 9.2, and Bar Rule 4-104.
2.
The facts supporting the Panel's decision are as follows:
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n. Respondent failed to refund the fee he was paid that he did not
earn.
o. Ms. Shackleford filed a Fee Arbitration proceeding with the State
Bar of Georgia.
p. Ms. Shackleford was awarded $3,600.00 against Respondent.
q. Based on the evidence presented at the fee arbitration hearing, the
panel of arbitrators concluded that Respondent demonstrates
possible impairment.
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1. On November 17, 2016, the court granted defendant's motion to
compel, ordered Ms. Wread to respond to discovery, and assessed
attorney's fees against Ms. Wread.
J. Respondent failed to inform Ms. Wread about the court's
November 17 order.
k. Respondent again failed to prepare answers to defendant's
discovery on behalf of Ms. Wread.
1. On February 1, 2017, the defendant filed a motion to strike Ms.
Wread's modification petition.
m. Respondent failed to inform Ms. Wread about the motion to strike.
n. Respondent failed to respond to the motion to strike.
o. The court granted the motion to strike on February 6, 2017, and
awarded additional attorney's fees against Ms. Wread.
p. Respondent failed to inform Ms. Wread about the court's
February 6 order.
q. Respondent failed to communicate with Ms. Wread.
r. Respondent abandoned the legal matter Ms. Wread entrusted to
him to Ms. Wread's detriment.
s. Respondent failed to take any action on Ms. Wread's behalf.
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c. Respondent advised Ms. Cuneio he would file a Petition for
Divorce and Petition for Name Change.
d. Respondent filed the divorce petition on behalf of Ms. Cuneio but
failed to perform any work with regard to the name change.
e. Respondent's lack of work on the case delayed resolution of Ms.
Cuneio's divorce.
f. Respondent failed to properly communicate with Ms. Cuneio.
g. Respondent abandoned the legal matter Ms. Cuneio entrusted to
him to Ms. Cuneio' s detriment.
h. Respondent failed to take action on Ms. Cuneio' s behalf with
regard to the name change.
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1. Respondent abandoned the legal matter Mr. McMickle entrusted to
him to Mr. McMickle's detriment.
J. Respondent failed to provide Mr. McMickle's file to him.
k. Respondent failed to take any action on Mr. McMickle's behalf.
1. Respondent failed to refund the fee he was paid that he did not
earn.
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k. Respondent agreed to refund Mr. Heath in full in exchange for Mr.
Heath withdrawing his grievance and signing a dismissal of his
complaint against Respondent.
1. On July 19, 2017, Mr. Heath signed an agreement resolving the
grievance in exchange for a refund of $3,500.
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1. Respondent failed to refund the fee he was paid that he did not
earn.
3.
The Investigative Panel has determined that the appropriate disciplinary
sanction to be imposed upon Respondent is disbarment.
4.
Bar Rule 4-208.2(a)(4) requires that the Panel state the reasons that it
recommends that Respondent be disbarred. In aggravation of the level of
discipline to be imposed in these cases, the Investigative Panel considered the
following factors:
(a) Respondent acted willfully in collecting a fee from the
complainants then abandoned their legal matters.
(b) Respondent acted with a selfish motive.
(c) Respondent demonstrated a pattern of misconduct.
(d) Respondent has multiple offenses.
(e) Respondent has refused to acknowledge the wrongful nature
of his conduct.
5.
Bar Rule 4-208.3 as amended is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and
incorporated by this reference.
6.
As required by Bar Rule 4-208.2(a)(6), the Memorandums of Grievance
filed with the State Bar are attached hereto as Exhibits "B" through "G", and
incorporated by this reference.
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7.
As required by Bar Rule 4-208.2(a)(7), Respondent's disciplinary history
is as follows:
(a) Respondent has no prior disciplinary history.
WHEREFORE, the State Bar of Georgia prays that this Court enter an
order disbarring Respondent.
OITlSOn
Assistant General Counsel
State Bar Number 470074
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