X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Per Curiam. This disciplinary matter is before the Court to consider a petition for voluntary reciprocal discipline filed by William D. Thompson, Jr. (State Bar No. 710152), pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 and Rule 9.4 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). In his petition, Thompson, who has been a Georgia Bar member since 2003 and is currently in inactive status, admits that he was suspended from legal practice in Florida for one year, effective January 8, 2020, to be followed by two years on “probation,” for misconduct involving his mismanagement of his trust account. The State Bar filed an untimely response to the petition, recommending that the petition be accepted. Nevertheless, Thompson’s petition contains several deficiencies that preclude final resolution of this matter at this time. First, the petition fails to identify which Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct his conduct violated. See Bar Rule 4-227 (a) (providing that “[a] Petition for Voluntary Discipline shall contain admissions of fact and admissions of conduct in violation of Part IV, Chapter 1 of these Rules sufficient to authorize the imposition of discipline”). The petition also fails to establish that the requested one-year suspension is appropriate discipline under Georgia law. This latter deficiency is particularly salient given that, although Thompson recites that he received a one-year suspension in Florida, he also received a further two-year “probation” period, during which he is restricted in using a trust account and faces additional reporting obligations and fee payments to the Florida Bar. The Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct do not contemplate a comparable “probation” mechanism. See generally Rule 9.4 (b) (3) (noting that, where a reciprocal disciplinary matter proceeds to the State Disciplinary Review Board, that body “shall recommend imposition of substantially similar discipline” to that received in the disciplinary proceeding in the other jurisdiction). Furthermore, although Thompson references various documents associated with the Florida disciplinary proceeding in this petition, no such documents were attached for our review. Finally, Thompson states that he is in inactive status, but he fails to note that he is not an inactive member in good standing. Rather, he is currently under suspension for failure to pay his license fee. Accordingly, Thompson’s petition for voluntary reciprocal discipline is rejected. Petition for voluntary discipline rejected. All the Justices concur.

 
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
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More

Our client, a boutique litigation firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire a junior-mid level associate their rapidly ...


Apply Now ›

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking an associate to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates must have four to eight years...


Apply Now ›

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM, CORPORATE LAW We provide strategic advisory and legal services to the world's leading archite...


Apply Now ›