In re Haywood
In re Haywood
Opinion of the Court
In these three disciplinary matters, the State Bar, following
In these cases Haywood agreed to handle the client’s case, did not perform work for the client, did not respond to the client’s queries about the status of the client’s case, did not return the client’s file or Haywood’s unearned fee on the client’s request, converted the client’s money to her own and commingled it with that of her own, and failed to file a response to the Notice of Investigation in each case as required by Bar Rule 4-204.3. In addition, in one case Haywood demanded and received illegal narcotics as payment for legal services she stated she would perform.
We agree with the State Bar that Haywood’s conduct in these cases violated the following professional standards of Bar Rule 4-102 (d): 3 (illegal professional conduct involving moral turpitude); 4 (professional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or wilful misrepresentation); 5 (false, fraudulent or misleading communications); 21 (failure to withdraw from employment when discharged by the client); 22 (failure to properly withdraw from employment); 23 (failure on withdrawal from employment to promptly refund unearned fees); 44 (wilful abandonment or disregard of a client’s legal matter); 45 (using false statements or otherwise engaging in illegal conduct or conduct in violation of disciplinary rules in the representation of a client); 63 (failure to maintain complete records of client); 65 (commingling client funds with those of the lawyer); 68 (failure to respond to disciplinary authorities in accordance with disciplinary rules). We also agree that the following aggravating circumstances are present in these cases, warranting increased discipline: Haywood’s prior disciplinary offenses,
Accordingly, Haywood is disbarred from the practice of law in Georgia. She is reminded of her duties under Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred.
On September 23, 1994 this Court ordered that Haywood receive a public reprimand for violations of Standards 22, 44 and 68, and she was given an Investigative Panel reprimand on March 22, 1996.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN THE MATTER OF LYNN FINNEY HAYWOOD
- Status
- Published