In re Harris

Supreme Court of Georgia

In re Harris

361 S.E.2d 382, 257 Ga. 548, 1987 Ga. LEXIS 963

CourtSupreme Court of Georgia

DecidedOctober 29, 1987

DocketSupreme Court Disciplinary No. 520

StatusPublished

This text of 361 S.E.2d 382 (In re Harris) 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 Harris, 361 S.E.2d 382, 257 Ga. 548, 1987 Ga. LEXIS 963 (Ga. 1987).

Pincite

Opinion

Per curiam.

Respondent Charles F. Harris was found in violation of Standards 4, 22, 23, 31, 44, and 61 of State Bar Rules 4-102 in that he misrepresented to his client in Georgia that he had forwarded the client’s personal-injury suit file to his associated counsel in Pennsylvania, which inaction and withdrawal from representation resulted in the client’s claim being barred by the statute of limitations; he utilized a one-third contingent-fee arrangement, although the PIP benefits were assured and not contingent; he failed to refund any of the purported fee when he in effect withdrew; and he failed to promptly deliver to his client the PIP benefits recovered, which represented the client’s funds but which the respondent retained as earned fees. He also was found to have violated Standard 68 of State Bar Rule 4-102 in that he failed to respond to the State Disciplinary Board’s investigation of charges of his violation of Standards 23 and 31.

The respondent petitioned for voluntary discipline in the form of a letter of informal admonition. The special master recommended a private reprimand. The Review Panel of the State Disciplinary Board recommended that Charles F. Harris be suspended for a period of six months from the practice of law. This Court hereby adopts the recommendation of the State Disciplinary Board.

It is hereby ordered that Charles F. Harris be suspended from the practice of law in the State of Georgia for a period of six months, said suspension to date from December 1, 1987.

All the Justices concur.

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Per curiam.

Respondent Charles F. Harris was found in violation of Standards 4, 22, 23, 31, 44, and 61 of State Bar Rules 4-102 in that he misrepresented to his client in Georgia that he had forwarded the client’s personal-injury suit file to his associated counsel in Pennsylvania, which inaction and withdrawal from representation resulted in the client’s claim being barred by the statute of limitations; he utilized a one-third contingent-fee arrangement, although the PIP benefits were assured and not contingent; he failed to refund any of the purported fee when he in effect withdrew; and he failed to promptly deliver to his client the PIP benefits recovered, which represented the client’s funds but which the respondent retained as earned fees. He also was found to have violated Standard 68 of State Bar Rule 4-102 in that he failed to respond to the State Disciplinary Board’s investigation of charges of his violation of Standards 23 and 31.

The respondent petitioned for voluntary discipline in the form of a letter of informal admonition. The special master recommended a private reprimand. The Review Panel of the State Disciplinary Board recommended that Charles F. Harris be suspended for a period of six months from the practice of law. This Court hereby adopts the recommendation of the State Disciplinary Board.

It is hereby ordered that Charles F. Harris be suspended from the practice of law in the State of Georgia for a period of six months, said suspension to date from December 1, 1987.

All the Justices concur.

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Bluebook (online)

361 S.E.2d 382, 257 Ga. 548, 1987 Ga. LEXIS 963, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-harris-ga-1987.