In the Matter of Robert B. Lipman

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the report of the special master,1 who recommends that we accept the petition of Robert B. Lipman State Bar No. 453550 for the voluntary surrender of his license, a petition filed after the issuance of a formal complaint. See Bar Rule 4-227 c. In his petition, Lipman admits violations of Rules 1.15 I, 1.15 II, and 8.4 a 4 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. See Bar Rule 4-102 d. The maximum punishment for such violations is disbarment.

In his petition, Lipman admits the following facts. Lipman was hired to represent a client in a personal-injury case, after the client was injured in an automobile accident while working. Lipman and the client agreed to a contingency fee, whereby Lipman would receive 40 percent of any settlement. The client advised Lipman that he had filed a workers’ compensation claim, but that his employer controverted the claim. Lipman contacted the opposing party’s insurance carrier and was informed that the other vehicle involved in the accident—a municipal government truck, driven by a municipal employee—was insured for $1 million. Lipman referred his client to two doctors for medical treatment, and the client incurred substantial medical expenses, approximately $272,000 in all. Lipman also referred his client to another attorney with respect to the workers’ compensation claim.