In re Davis
| Citation | 742 S.E.2d 734,292 Ga. 897 |
| Decision Date | 06 May 2013 |
| Docket Number | No. S13Y0799.,S13Y0799. |
| Parties | In the Matter of Ashley A. DAVIS. |
| Court | Supreme Court of Georgia |
OPINION TEXT STARTS HERE
Paula J. Frederick, Gen. Counsel State Bar, Jonathan W. Hewett, Asst. Gen. Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.
Steven A. Miller, Summerville, for Davis.
In October 2012, Ashley A. Davis (State Bar No. 207475) was convicted of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and she was sentenced as a first offender to probation for three years.1 The State Bar sought appointment of a special master pursuant to Bar Rule 4–106, and we appointed Nancy Ingram Jordan as special master. Following an evidentiary hearing, the special master issued her report and recommendation, in which she found that Davis—who was admitted to the Bar in 2003—violated Rule 8.4(a)(2) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, see Bar Rule 4–102(d), the maximum punishment for which is disbarment. The special master also found several mitigating circumstances, however, and based on these mitigating circumstances, she recommended that Davis be suspended for 24 months. In addition, the special master recommended that Davis be reinstated to the practice of law only upon her fulfillment of several conditions, including the successful completion of her first offender probation. Neither Davis nor the State Bar sought review by the Review Panel.
According to the special master, Davis and her husband were arrested in May 2012 on drug charges, following an especially difficult and challenging period in her personal life. The drug charges did not involve her clients or law practice in any way. At the hearing, Davis expressed remorse, took full responsibility for her actions, and said that she is in counseling to deal with unresolved family issues. In addition, the special master found that Davis had no prior discipline, that she has good character and a good reputation (notwithstanding her drug conviction), that she has displayed a cooperative attitude toward the disciplinary proceedings, and that no harm was done to her clients by her wrongdoing. Upon our review of the record, we find no error in the findings of the special master, and based on those findings, we conclude that a suspension for 30 months is appropriate,2 with conditions for reinstatement.
Accordingly, we hereby order that Ashley A. Davis be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 30 months, effective as of the date of this opinion. At the conclusion of those 30...
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In re Temple
...conduct that involved using the attorney's position as a lawyer to assist her clients in violating the law. See In the Matter of Davis , 292 Ga. 897, 742 S.E.2d 734 (2013) (thirty-month suspension imposed on attorney who entered a first offender plea to possession of methamphetamine); In th......
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In re Gaines, S16Y1335
...lawyer following affirmance of federal convictions for conspiracy, and bank, wire, and mail fraud), with In the Matter of Davis, 292 Ga. 897, 742 S.E.2d 734 (2013) (30–month suspension following first offender plea to possession of methamphetamine), and In the Matter of Schrader, 271 Ga. 60......