In the Matter of Bonnie M. Youn

The Supreme Court accepted attorney's petition for voluntary discipline and imposed an 18-month suspension after she pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1028 for having counseled, commanded and induced a client, who was not a Georgia resident, to possess a Georgia driver's license.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition for voluntary discipline filed by Bonnie Monique Youn State Bar No. 781445, prior to the issuance of a formal complaint, see Bar Rule 4-227 b 2. Youn became a member of the Massachusetts Bar in 1995 and a member of the Georgia Bar in 1996. She worked as a staff attorney for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and after a stint in private practice, founded her own law firm focused on employment and family-based immigration law. In her petition, she admits that she pled guilty on January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, to one misdemeanor count of violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1028 for having counseled, commanded, and induced a client, who was not a Georgia resident, to possess a Georgia driver’s license. The client had been living legally in Louisiana and obtained the license as part of her effort to become a permanent resident of the United States. On May 3, 2016, Youn was sentenced to two years on probation and a $5,245 fine. Youn admits that by this conduct she has violated Rule 8.4 a 3 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 d.1 The maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 8.4 a 3 is disbarment.

As part of her plea agreement, Youn agreed that she would not appear on behalf of any third party in any civil, criminal, or administrative matter for two years beginning no later than ten days after sentencing. In her petition, Youn states that she discontinued the practice of law effective April 1, 2016, having provided advance notice to existing and former clients. Youn seeks a suspension of 18 months. She also asks that her reinstatement be conditioned on her offering proof to the State Bar’s Office of General Counsel that she has completed all terms of her probation.

In the Matter of Bonnie M. Youn

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

Trending Stories

More From ALM

Subscribe to Daily Report