In re Coulter
In re Coulter
Opinion of the Court
This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition for voluntary discipline filed, prior to the filing of a formal complaint, by Respondent Gary Lanier Coulter (State Bar No. 190100), pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2), in which he acknowledges that he violated Rule 1.5 (a) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, see Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 1.5 is a public reprimand. In his petition, Coulter, who has been a member of the Bar since 1971, unconditionally admits that, in the matter underlying this petition, he represented a client between 2011 and 2013 in a complex probate matter, for whichhe was paid approximately $187,000. In March 2013, the client terminated Coulter’s representation and engaged new counsel, through whom the client then disputed the reasonableness of Coulter’s fee. Following discussion of the matter, Coulter agreed to repay $30,000 of his fees, to be repaid in 60 $500 monthly installments. From 2013 to 2015, Coulter repaid $9,500, but, despite his desire to continue repayment, the decline of his law practice has left him unable to do so.
For his conduct in this matter, Coulter seeks as a sanction the imposition of a Review Panel reprimand, although he states that he will accept a public reprimand. In mitigation of discipline, Coulter states that he has no prior disciplinary history;
Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Review Panel reprimand.
Coulter acknowledges that currently pending before a Special Master is another petition for voluntary discipline that he submitted as to another matter.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN THE MATTER OF GARY LANIER COULTER
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published