This disciplinary is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation of the Special Master, Charles R. Adams III, recommending that the Court suspend Stephen G. Waldrop from the practice of law for a minimum term of 24 months and with conditions imposed on reinstatement. The record shows that Waldrop entered a guilty plea in Coweta County under the First Offender Act to possession of N-N-dimethylamphetamine, in violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, and was sentenced under the First Offender Act, OCGA § 42-8-60 et seq., to a five-year period of probation. The Special Master found the following facts: Waldrop has been a member of the Bar since 2000; he has served 18 years in the military and has received numerous awards and commendations and is currently a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve; prior to his arrest he was in private civil practice; he has no prior disciplinary or criminal record; no harm was done to any clients or third parties as a result of his actions; the State Bar presented no aggravating factors; in June 2006, Waldrop stopped taking new clients and transferred existing clients to other attorneys; and since his arrest he has voluntarily sought treatment for any possible substance abuse problems. The special master credited the testimony of Dr. Bruce Atkinson, Waldrop’s treating psychologist, who has over 30 years experience treating patients with addiction and substance abuse problems, that Waldrop has no diagnosable psychiatric disorder, antisocial traits, substance abuse/dependency, or any serious problem that would cause major difficulties in his professional work; there was no evidence of addiction and a low probability of development of an addiction; Waldrop does not have a continuing problem with drug or alcohol abuse and does not need continuing treatment for drug abuse; Waldrop is not a danger to the community; Waldrop has an extremely low probability of allowing any drug or alcohol use to impair his professional duties if he were allowed to resume the practice of law; and Waldrop is remorseful and has learned his lesson. The Special Master also cited the testimony of Stephen Marshall Brown, Director of the Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program, who testified that Waldrop passed nine random drug screens administered over 12 months, Brown’s evaluation indicated that Waldrop’s drug use was situational and not compulsive, Waldrop has been compliant, accountable and reliable in conforming to the Lawyer Assistance Program, and he concurred with Dr. Atkinson that Waldrop would not be a danger to clients.
The Special Master also cited the testimony of ten character witnesses, including lawyers, military personnel, and former clients, and concluded that Waldrop has an excellent personal and professional reputation in the legal community and the community at large.
