Opinion
S14Y0990 S14Y0991 S14Y1126 S14Y1127
11-03-2014
IN THE MATTER OF DONALD L. JONES.
These disciplinary matters are before the Court on four Notices of Discipline seeking the disbarment of Donald L. Jones (State Bar No. 399850). The State Bar attempted to serve Jones personally at the address listed with the State Bar, but the sheriff filed returns of service non est inventus. The State Bar then properly served Jones by publication pursuant to Bar Rule 4-203.1 (b) (3) (ii). Jones failed to file a Notice of Rejection in these cases. Therefore, he is in default, has waived his rights 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).
The facts, as deemed admitted by virtue of Jones's default, show that Jones, who was admitted to the Bar in 1977, was retained by four clients to represent them in personal injury cases. After settling the cases for amounts ranging from $20,000 to $299,000, Jones failed to remit all the settlement monies due to the clients and failed to account for the monies. Instead, he abandoned his practice, withdrew the funds from his trust account, and absconded with the clients' funds. Additionally, Jones failed to file sworn, written responses to the Notices of Investigation as required by Bar Rule 4-204.3.
Based on these facts, the Investigative Panel found probable cause to believe that Jones violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.15 (I), 1.15 (II), 8.4 (a) (4), and 9.3, of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.3, 1.15 (I), 1.15 (II), and 8.4 (a) (4) is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.4 and 9.3 is a public reprimand.
Having reviewed the records, we conclude that disbarment is the appropriate sanction in these matters. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the name of Donald L. Jones be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Jones is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred. All the Justices concur.