In re Soons

Attorney disbarred for accepting installment payments from a client, failing to take timely action on the client's case and moving his office without notifying the client or the State Bar.

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This disciplinary matter is before the Court pursuant to the Notice of Discipline filed by the State Bar alleging that Soons violated Standards 22 withdrawal from employment without taking reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to the rights of his client, including giving due notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, delivering to the client all papers and property to which the client is entitled and complying with applicable laws and rules; 44 wilful abandonment or disregard of a legal matter to the client’s detriment; and 68 failure to respond to disciplinary authorities in accordance with disciplinary rules of Bar Rule 4-102 d. A violation of Standard 22 or 68 is punishable by public reprimand, while a violation of Standard 44 is punishable by disbarment. The State Bar has recommended disbarment as an appropriate sanction for Soons’ violations of Standards 22, 44, and 68 of Bar Rule 4-102 d and we agree.

Here, a client retained Soons to represent him in the reinstatement of the client’s peace officer’s license. The client, in accordance with his agreement with Soons, began paying Soons’ fee in installments but Soons failed to take timely action on the client’s case thereby leading to the denial of the client’s appeal. The client last spoke to Soons over three years ago. Soons has not responded to the client’s telephone calls or returned the client’s original documents which are vital to the client’s appeal. In fact, Soons appears to have moved from his office without notifying the client and Soons can no longer be reached at the address and phone number last provided to the State Bar of Georgia.

In re Soons

Attorney disbarred for accepting installment payments from a client, failing to take timely action on the client's case and moving his office without notifying the client or the State Bar.

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