In the Matter of Clark Jones-Lewis

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the report and recommendation of the special master, Michael E. Sumner, who recommends that the Court impose a six-month suspension from the practice of law and a public reprimand on Clark Jones-Lewis State Bar No. 398595 for her failure to promptly remit a client’s money to the client.

Following the filing of a formal complaint, Jones-Lewis filed a petition for voluntary discipline, which she later amended. After a hearing, the special master found that Jones-Lewis was admitted to the Bar in 1985 and previously received a review panel reprimand. See In the Matter of Jones-Lewis, 287 Ga. 581 697 SE2d 836 2010. This action arises out of her representation of a client in a domestic matter. In July 2007, the trial court ordered a receiver to disburse $10,000 in legal fees to Jones-Lewis and $2,000 per month to her client for support and maintenance. In August 2007, Jones-Lewis received a wire transfer of $14,000 into her IOLTA account, but she did not remit the $4,000 to her client when she received it. After the client retained new counsel in 2010 and filed a grievance, Jones-Lewis paid the client $4,000 plus $1,000 interest. In her initial petition for voluntary discipline, Jones-Lewis admitted that she, in haste and with negligence, treated the $4,000 transfer as earned legal fees and retained it in her operating account. She stated that upon confirmation of this error, she delivered a check to the client for $5,000, representing his $4,000, plus $1,000 in interest.