Rule 4-219 Publication and Protective Orders
Rule Text
(a) In cases in which a lawyer is publicly reprimanded, suspended, disbarred, or voluntarily surrenders his license, the Office of the General Counsel shall publish notice of the discipline in a local newspaper or newspapers. The Office of the General Counsel shall publish notice of all public discipline on the official State Bar of Georgia website, including the respondent’s full name and business address, the nature of the discipline imposed and the effective dates.
(b) (1) After a final judgment of disbarment or suspension, including a disbarment or suspension on a Notice of Discipline, the respondent shall immediately cease the practice of law in Georgia and shall, within 30 days, notify all clients of his inability to represent them and of the necessity for promptly retaining new counsel, and shall take all actions necessary to protect the interests of his clients. Within 45 days after a final judgment of disbarment or suspension, the respondent shall certify to the Court that he has satisfied the requirements of this Rule. Should the respondent fail to comply with the requirements of this Rule, the Supreme Court of Georgia, upon its own motion or upon motion of the Office of the General Counsel, and after 10 days’ notice to the respondent and proof of his failure to notify or protect his clients, may hold the respondent in contempt and, pursuant to Rule 4-228, order that a member or members of the State Bar of Georgia take charge of the files and records of the respondent and proceed to notify all clients and to take such steps as seem indicated to protect their interests. Motions for reconsideration may be taken from the issuance or denial of such protective order by either the respondent or by the State Bar of Georgia.
(2) After a final judgment of disbarment or suspension under Part IV of these Rules the respondent shall take such action necessary to cause the removal of any indicia of the respondent as a lawyer, legal assistant, legal clerk or person with similar status. In the event the respondent should maintain a presence in an office where the practice of law is conducted, the respondent shall not represent himself as a lawyer or person with similar status and shall not provide any legal advice to clients of the law office.