Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

In the Matter of Joanna Temple

The Supreme Court rejected an attorney's petition for voluntary discipline, in which she sought a 4-year suspension with conditions, after she pleaded guilty in New York to a misdemeanor violation of attempted criminal usury in the second degree in connection with her role as counsel for payday lending companies, in which she advised those companies and their employees intentionally to violate the law over a period of years.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court for the second time. This Court rejected the first petition for voluntary discipline filed by Joanna Temple State Bar No. 701805, which sought a one-year suspension with conditions for her admitted violations of Rule 1.2 d and 8.4 a 3 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, found in Bar Rule 4-102 d. See In the Matter of Temple, 299 Ga. 140 786 SE2d 684 2016. Temple now seeks a four-year suspension with conditions for those violations. Again, we reject Temple’s request for voluntary suspension.

As in her first petition, Temple, who became a member of the Bar in 1990, admits she entered a guilty plea in New York to a misdemeanor violation of attempted criminal usury in the second degree; the plea arose out of her role as counsel for payday lending companies, in which she advised those companies and their employees intentionally to violate New York’s criminal usury laws. The plea hearing transcript, which Temple attached to her petition, shows that for over five years she instructed and encouraged her payday lending clients to intentionally violate certain state lending laws, including New York’s usury statutes, and assisted them in doing so. She was sentenced to a conditional discharge for one year, subject to performing 250 hours of community service. She admits that by this conduct, she has violated Rules 1.2 d and 8.4 a 3, the maximum sanction for which is disbarment.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Consulting Best Firms to Work For 2024
September 12, 2024
New York, NY

Consulting Magazine identifies the best firms to work for in the consulting profession.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Juvenile Dependency Attorney II/III/IV

RECRUITMENT BONUS Newly hired employees from this recruitment may be eligible to receive bonus payments up to $3,000!* FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: ...


Apply Now ›
Litigation Counsel - Multiple Offices

Morristown, NJ; New York, NY Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in multiple offices for a Counsel in our Litigation Department. The ...


Apply Now ›
Deputy Chief Attorney

The Forest Preserves of Cook CountyIs seeking applicants forDeputy Chief Attorney The Forest Preserves of Cook County is seeking a detail-o...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements