Opinion
S21Y0603
02-15-2021
In the MATTER OF Jeffrey Bull GRABLE.
Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K. Mittelman, Wolanda R. Shelton, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.
Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K. Mittelman, Wolanda R. Shelton, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.
Per Curiam. This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition of Jeffrey Bull Grable (State Bar No. 303870) for voluntary surrender of license prior to the issuance of a formal complaint, brought pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2). Grable, who has been a State Bar member since 1997, is currently under administrative suspension for failure to pay dues and complete Continuing Legal Education requirements.
Grable admits that he represented an individual client in a dispute with her business co-owner and agreed to prepare and file a lawsuit on the client's behalf, which he did not complete. When the co-owner sued the client instead, he agreed to file a counterclaim, which he did not complete and file, and a sizable judgment was eventually entered against the client. Grable became aware of the judgment, but failed to advise his client. Grable admits that his conduct violated Rules 1.2 (a), 1.3, and 1.4 (a) (3) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.2 (a) and 1.3 is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 1.4 (a) (3) is a public reprimand. Grable further admits that he was suspended from the practice of law for six months in 2005 based on similar conduct. See In the Matter of Grable , 279 Ga. 1, 607 S.E.2d 554 (2005).
The State Bar has filed a response, in which it recommends that the Court accept Grable's voluntary surrender of license. It stipulates to the facts as set forth in Grable's petition and states that the requested discipline level, which is tantamount to disbarment, is appropriate in light of the severity of his admitted conduct and violations and the aggravating factors, as identified in the American Bar Association's Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, involving his substantial experience in the practice of law and prior disciplinary misconduct. See ABA Standards 3.0 (factors generally); 4.41 (lack of diligence); 4.61 (lack of candor); 8.1 (prior disciplinary history); and 9.22 (aggravating factors). See also In the Matter of Morse , 266 Ga. 652, 652, 470 S.E.2d 232 (1996) (stating that this Court looks to the ABA Standards for guidance in determining the appropriate sanction).
Having reviewed the petition, we agree to accept Grable's petition for voluntary surrender of license. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the name of Jeffrey Bull Grable be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Grable is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (b).
Voluntary surrender of license accepted.
All the Justices concur.