In re Ball

Supreme Court of Georgia

In re Ball

477 S.E.2d 580, 267 Ga. 320, 96 Fulton County D. Rep. 3970, 1996 Ga. LEXIS 924

CourtSupreme Court of Georgia

DecidedNovember 12, 1996

DocketS96Y1928

StatusPublished

This text of 477 S.E.2d 580 (In re Ball) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Georgia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

In re Ball, 477 S.E.2d 580, 267 Ga. 320, 96 Fulton County D. Rep. 3970, 1996 Ga. LEXIS 924 (Ga. 1996).

Pincite

Opinion

Per curiam.

The Investigative Panel of the State Disciplinary Board directed the Office of General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, to issue a Notice of Discipline imposing disbarment against Karen Kathleen Ball pursuant to Bar Rule 4-208.1. The Investigative Panel found probable cause to believe that Ball violated Standards 4, 21, 22, 23, 44, 45, and 68 of Bar Rule 4-102. Probable cause was based upon grievances filed against Ball by two former clients. The clients alleged that Ball agreed to represent them and accepted legal fees from them; but that she subsequently abandoned the clients without notifying them that she had withdrawn and without returning any of the legal fees they had paid her. As a result of Ball’s conduct, the Investigative Panel recommends that she be disbarred.¹

The State Bar served Ball properly and in accordance with Bar Rule 4-208.2 (d). Because Ball did not file a notice of rejection of discipline as required by Bar Rule 4-208.3, she is in default. Bar Rule 4-208.1 (b). We have reviewed the record and agree with the Investigative Panel that Ball should be disbarred from the practice of law. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that Karen Kathleen Ball be disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Georgia and her name be removed from the roll of individuals licensed to practice law in this state. Ball is directed to comply with the provisions of Bar Rule 4-219 (c) (1) and (2).

Disbarred.

All the Justices concur.

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Per curiam.

The Investigative Panel of the State Disciplinary Board directed the Office of General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, to issue a Notice of Discipline imposing disbarment against Karen Kathleen Ball pursuant to Bar Rule 4-208.1. The Investigative Panel found probable cause to believe that Ball violated Standards 4, 21, 22, 23, 44, 45, and 68 of Bar Rule 4-102. Probable cause was based upon grievances filed against Ball by two former clients. The clients alleged that Ball agreed to represent them and accepted legal fees from them; but that she subsequently abandoned the clients without notifying them that she had withdrawn and without returning any of the legal fees they had paid her. As a result of Ball’s conduct, the Investigative Panel recommends that she be disbarred.¹

The State Bar served Ball properly and in accordance with Bar Rule 4-208.2 (d). Because Ball did not file a notice of rejection of discipline as required by Bar Rule 4-208.3, she is in default. Bar Rule 4-208.1 (b). We have reviewed the record and agree with the Investigative Panel that Ball should be disbarred from the practice of law. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that Karen Kathleen Ball be disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Georgia and her name be removed from the roll of individuals licensed to practice law in this state. Ball is directed to comply with the provisions of Bar Rule 4-219 (c) (1) and (2).

Disbarred.

All the Justices concur.

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Bluebook (online)

477 S.E.2d 580, 267 Ga. 320, 96 Fulton County D. Rep. 3970, 1996 Ga. LEXIS 924, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-ball-ga-1996.