In re Davis
In re Davis
Opinion of the Court
This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation of special master Michael D. McRae, who recommends that Respondent Dock H. Davis (State Bar No. 207900) receive a Review Panel reprimand for his two violations of Rule 8.4 (a) (4) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a single violation of Rule 8.4 (a) (4) is disbarment.
The special master found that Davis twice falsified and notarized the signatures of his client on documents submitted to the court and that he knew or should have known that such actions were improper. Thus, the special master agreed with the State Bar that these actions constituted clear violations of Rule 8.4 (a) (4). The special master noted in mitigation the absence of a selfish motive, Davis’s lack of a prior disciplinary history, and his effort to correct his misrepresentation before the court by filing the originals. The special master further noted that Davis committed the violations in an attempt to meet deadlines for his client and believed that he had his client’s tacit permission to sign and notarize the documents in question. The special master recommended that Davis receive a Review Panel reprimand, which was the least severe sanction recommended by the State Bar.
Having reviewed the record in this case, we agree that a Review Panel reprimand is the appropriate sanction, and we therefore order that Dock H. Davis receive a Review Panel reprimand in accordance with Bar Rules 4-102 (b) (4) and 4-220 (b) for his violations of Rule 8.4 (a) (4).
Review Panel reprimand.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN THE MATTER OF DOCK H. DAVIS
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published