In re Anthony
In re Anthony
Opinion of the Court
Lagrant Anthony is a member of the State Bar of Georgia
The State Bar properly served Anthony by publication pursuant to Bar Rule 4-203.1 (b) (3) (ii) after the State Bar attempted to serve the notice of discipline on Anthony personally at the address listed with the State Bar and the sheriff filed a return of service non est inventus. Having failed to file a Notice of Rejection, Anthony 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 Anthony’s default, show that he solicited, by personal contact, a non-lawyer for professional employment, even though the non-lawyer had not sought his advice regarding employment of a lawyer. In response to the solicitation, the non-lawyer retained Anthony to represent her in a criminal case, and her mother paid Anthony $500. Anthony did not make a timely appearance at the client’s bond hearing, arriving two hours after the conclusion of the hearing and giving no explanation for his tardiness. Thereafter, Anthony did not respond to telephone calls from the client and her mother who inquired about the case and about Anthony’s failure to appear at the bond hearing, and who asked for a refund. Anthony was served by publication with a Notice of Investigation after the client filed a grievance with the State Bar and failed to respond as required by Bar Rule 4-204.3 (a).
These facts support the conclusion that Anthony violated Rules 1.3,1.4, 7.3 (d) and 9.3 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. The Investigative Panel recommended disbarment after considering
Having reviewed the record, this Court concludes that disbarment is the appropriate sanction in this matter. See In the Matter of Roberts, 288 Ga. 478 (704 SE2d 805) (2011). It is hereby ordered that the name of Lagrant Anthony be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Anthony is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred.
Anthony has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1987 and his State Bar membership number is 020615.
“A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.” “Reasonable diligence” means that a lawyer shall not willfully abandon or disregard a legal matter entrusted to the lawyer.
“A lawyer . . . shall keep the client reasonably informed about the status of matters and shall promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.”
“A lawyer shall not solicit professional employment as a private practitioner for the lawyer .. . through direct personal contact. . . with a non-lawyer who has not sought advice regarding employment of a lawyer.”
“During the investigation of a grievance filed under these Rules, the lawyer complained against shall respond to disciplinary authorities in accordance with State Bar Rules.”
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN THE MATTER OF LAGRANT ANTHONY
- Status
- Published