X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Per Curiam. This disciplinary matter is before the Court on a Notice of Discipline recommending the disbarment of George Michael Plumides (State Bar No. 582274). The Notice of Discipline alleges serious misconduct related to five different disciplinary matters. Plumides was personally served but failed to timely file a Notice of Rejection. Therefore, he is in default, has waived his right to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and further proceedings as may be determined by this Court. See Bar Rule 4-208.1 (b). Plumides was admitted to the Bar in 1990 and has twice received confidential disciplinary sanctions.[1] The record reflects that Plumides engaged in a pattern of abandoning clients in civil and criminal matters and supports the conclusion that he committed numerous violations of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d), for which disbarment is the most severe sanction.[2] Specifically, the facts, as deemed admitted by Plumides’s default, show that the following misconduct occurred over the past several years. Plumides settled personal injury suits for two clients but failed to appropriately account for the settlement proceeds and failed to disburse the proceeds to one client; failed to maintain client funds in an IOLTA bank account; failed to appear at calendar calls for two clients in criminal matters and then failed to appear on a contempt notice in one of those matters, resulting in his arrest and jailing for five weeks; failed to appear at a calendar call in a traffic court matter, which led to the suspension of the client’s license and registration; attempted to pay filing fees for a client in a civil matter with a check drawn on an account with insufficient funds; failed to respond to his clients’ requests for information about their cases; failed to timely respond to grievances filed with respect to all five disciplinary matters; and failed to respond to the Notices of Investigation filed in four of the matters. The one response to a Notice of Investigation that Plumides did file was untimely and non­responsive to the allegations against him. We agree with the State Disciplinary Board that by this conduct Plumides violated Rules 1.1, 1.2 (a), 1.3, 1.15 (I)-(III), 8.4 (a) (4), and 9.3. The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.1, 1.2 (a), 1.3, 1.15 (I) – (III), or 8.4 (a) (4) is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 9.3 is a public reprimand. In aggravation of discipline, the Board properly looked to the ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, see In the Matter of Morse, 266 Ga. 652, 653 (470 SE2d 232) (1996), and found that numerous aggravating factors applied, but that no mitigating factors were applicable. We agree that the following aggravating factors apply here: prior disciplinary offenses, conduct displays dishonest and selfish motives, a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, refusal to acknowledge wrongfulness of conduct, vulnerability of victim, substantial experience in the practice of law, and indifference to making restitution. See ABA Standard 9.22 (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h), (i), and (j). Having reviewed the record, we conclude that disbarment is the appropriate sanction in this matter and is consistent with prior cases disbarring lawyers who have engaged in a pattern of abandoning clients and misusing client funds, and who have failed to respond in disciplinary proceedings. See, e.g., In the Matter of Rambeau, 302 Ga. 367 (806 SE2d 572) (2017); In the Matter of Gibson, 297 Ga. 44 (771 SE2d 899) (2015). Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the name of George Michael Plumides be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Plumides is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (b). Disbarred. 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
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More

Skolnick Legal Group, P.C., a construction and commercial litigation firm with offices in New Jersey and New York is seeking a Litigation As...


Apply Now ›

Cullen and Dykman is seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 5+ years in insurance coverage experience as well as risk transfer and ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking a midlevel insurance coverage associate for its Newark, NJ and/or Philadelphia, PA offices. ...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›