X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court pursuant to the Proposed Report of the Special Master and Respondent Shannon Camille Johnson’s amended petition for voluntary discipline which she filed pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 to resolve several grievances that had been filed against her.1 In the petition, Johnson, who has been a member of the Bar since 2001, admits that she violated Bar Rules 1.3 and 1.4 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, Bar Rule 4-102 d, in her handling of legal matters undertaken for three different clients over a two-year period. The maximum sanction for a single violation of Rule 1.4 is a public reprimand, and the maximum sanction for a single violation of Rule 1.3 is disbarment. Johnson now requests a suspension of her license for no longer than two years as discipline for those offenses. The State Bar indicates that it has no objection to Johnson’s petition, and the special master recommends a two-year suspension. A review of the record reveals that between August 2003 and December 2005, Johnson agreed to provide legal representation to three different clients; that she nevertheless either failed to do any substantive work on those legal matters or failed to complete the work as promised; that she also failed to adequately communicate with these clients during the course of her representation of them; that, as a result of her conduct, each of the clients suffered some form of harm, ranging from needless worry to a lost cause of action; and that she closed her practice in December of 2005 when she relocated to Florida.

Based on the record as a whole, we agree that by her conduct Johnson violated both Rules 1.3 and 1.4. In aggravation of discipline we find that Johnson has a prior history of disciplinary offenses having received a formal letter of admonition in June 2006 as a result of her conduct in handling two additional client matters, a pattern of misconduct, and multiple offenses. We find in mitigation that Johnson has cooperated in these disciplinary matters, she had no dishonest or selfish motive, and she is remorseful for any inconvenience or hardship that she might have created for her clients. After weighing all these factors, we feel that the appropriate discipline is a two-year suspension, and we therefore accept her petition, see In the Matter of Hammock , 278 Ga. 385 602 SE2d 658 2004; In the Matter of Harvey , 275 Ga. 28 560 SE2d 646 2002. Accordingly, for her admitted violations of Rules 1.3 and 1.4 of Bar Rule 4-102 d, it is hereby ordered that Shannon Camille Johnson be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, commencing ten days from the date of this opinion. Johnson is reminded of her duties under Bar Rule 4-219.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
November 07, 2024
Orlando, FL

This event shines a spotlight on the individuals, teams, projects and organizations that are changing the financial industry.


Learn More
November 06, 2024 - November 07, 2024
Orlando, FL

BTI provides leading tax professionals from financial institutions with unmatched tools and resources.


Learn More
November 13, 2024
New York, NY

Honoring outstanding legal achievements focused at the national level, largely around Big Law and in-house departments.


Learn More

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PARALEGAL- NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY OFFICES: Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional of...


Apply Now ›

Our client, a small but highly sophisticated and entrepreneurial tax boutique in Charleston, SC, has asked for our firm s assistance in iden...


Apply Now ›

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:(1) Tasks and responsibilities include:Reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements for internal business...


Apply Now ›