In the Matter of William F. Heitmann III

The Supreme Court accepted an attorney's petition for voluntary discipline and ordered a public reprimand in connection with unsolicited contacts an independent contractor at the attorney's law practice made to car accident victims.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

This matter is before the Court on the petition of attorney William F. Heitmann III State Bar No. 343903 for voluntary discipline. In his petition, Heitmann admits that he violated Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3, and although the maximum penalty for such a violation is disbarment, he requests a public reprimand as discipline in his case. The State Bar has responded that acceptance of the petition would serve the public interest. We agree.

Heitmann has been a member of the State Bar since 2000, and according to his petition, his practice mostly concerns the representation of personal injury plaintiffs. He admits that, without his prior knowledge or consent, an independent contractor employed by his law office contacted three individuals who had just been involved in automobile accidents about Heitmann representing them. These contacts were unsolicited, none of the prospective clients having reached out to Heitmann before his contractor contacted them. In each instance, the contractor met with the prospective client soon after the initial contact. In two instances, the prospective clients agreed to be represented by Heitmann, only later to terminate the representation. In the third instance, the prospective client did not retain Heitmann. According to Heitmann, he only became aware of the facts surrounding these contacts during the grievance process. He determined that his contractor likely obtained the names and telephone numbers of the prospective clients from a doctor, although he claims to have no prior or specific knowledge of that fact. Upon learning of these improper contacts, Heitmann terminated the contractor and severed any further relationship with him. Heitmann later hired a more experienced investigator and personally explained the relevant Bar rules to that investigator, stressing specifically that no potential client can be contacted who has not sought advice regarding employment of a lawyer.

In the Matter of William F. Heitmann III

The Supreme Court accepted an attorney's petition for voluntary discipline and ordered a public reprimand in connection with unsolicited contacts an independent contractor at the attorney's law practice made to car accident victims.

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

Trending Stories

More From ALM

Subscribe to Daily Report