In the Matter of Andrew Bennet Koplan

304 Ga. 377

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: August 27, 2018
• Docket: S18Y1378
• Status: Published

Opinion

304 Ga. 377 FINAL COPY

S18Y1378. IN THE MATTER OF ANDREW BENNET KOPLAN.

PER CURIAM.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the voluntary petition of

Andrew Bennet Koplan (State Bar No. 428152), see Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2), for

the indefinite suspension of his license to practice law pending the resolution of

a criminal complaint filed against him on April 10, 2018, in Cobb County for

theft by conversion. Koplan states that he represented a company formed by a

client; that the company deposited $600,953.19 into his trust account; that he

made authorized payments of $396,000; that a portion of the balance was to be

used to pay outstanding legal fees; and that he failed to promptly disburse the

remaining balance and failed to render a full accounting to the client. He admits

that by this conduct he has violated Rule 1.15 (I) (c). He further states that he

has not engaged in the practice of law for at least one-and-a-half years. The

State Bar responds that an indefinite suspension is in the best interest of the

public and recommends that the Court accept the petition. Having reviewed the petition and response, we agree that the request should be granted. See In the

Matter of Miller, 300 Ga. 139 (793 SE2d 376) (2016); In the Matter of Swank,

288 Ga. 479 (704 SE2d 807) (2011). Therefore, it is hereby ordered that

Andrew Bennet Koplan be suspended from the practice of law in this State

during the pendency of the criminal charges against him and until further order

of this Court. He is hereby directed to notify the State Bar’s Office of General

Counsel in writing within seven days of any final disposition of the criminal

charges, whether by plea, verdict, dismissal, first offender probation, or

otherwise. Koplan is reminded of his duties pursuant to former Bar Rule 4-219

(c).

Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Suspension until further order

of the Court. Hines, C. J., Melton, P. J., Benham, Hunstein, Nahmias, Blackwell,

Boggs, and Peterson, JJ., concur.

2 Decided August 27, 2018.

Petition for voluntary discipline.

Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, A. Leigh Burgess, Jenny

K. Mittelman, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.