In the Matter of Douglas L. Kirkland

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation of the Review Panel, recommending that Douglas Liddell Kirkland State Bar No. 423655 be disbarred following his disbarment in Florida, see Florida Bar v. Kirkland , 42 So. 2d 235 2010. Kirkland was previously suspended indefinitely following his earlier suspension in Florida. In the Matter of Kirkland , 288 Ga. 480 704 SE2d 806 2011. In this matter, the State Bar filed a notice of reciprocal discipline attaching a certified copy of the order of the Supreme Court of Florida, Fla. Bar v. Kirkland , 42 So. 2d 235 2010, as well as the report of the referee upon which the order was based. See Rule 9.4 b, as amended, of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, see Bar Rule 4-102 d. Kirkland submitted an acknowledgment of service that also stated he did not plan to contest the matter.

The Florida referee found Kirkland guilty of each offense set forth in his “disbarment by consent” petition. In that petition Kirkland admitted that improper withdrawals were made from his attorney trust account, with the largest shortage amounting to approximately $93,000, and that he inappropriately filed trust accounting certificates showing compliance with the rules when his trust account was not in compliance. He states that the problems arose through his improper supervision over individuals who handled his trust account, he has replenished all funds, no client was harmed, and he has cooperated with the Florida Bar.