In the Matter of Pamela Studivant Stephenson

849 S.E.2d 171, 310 Ga. 6

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: September 28, 2020
• Docket: S21Y0081
• Status: Published

Opinion

310 Ga. 6 FINAL COPY

S21Y0081. IN THE MATTER OF PAMELA STURDIVANT STEPHENSON.

PER CURIAM.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition of

Pamela Sturdivant Stephenson (State Bar No. 679558) for voluntary

surrender of her license prior to the issuance of a formal complaint,

pursuant to Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2). Stephenson, who has been a

member of the Bar since 1994, is currently under suspension

because of her failure to respond to a Notice of Investigation filed by

the State Bar. The maximum sanction for the violations contained

in the notice is disbarment. See In the Matter of Stephenson,

S20Y0212 (Sept. 20, 2019). The notice asserted that conduct alleged

in a grievance against Stephenson could support violations of Rules

1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.2, and 8.4 (a) (4) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.1 Stephenson’s petition asserts her intention

to surrender her license pursuant to Rule 4-104 (a). Stephenson

thus requests that the Court accept her petition for voluntary

surrender of her license, which she acknowledges is tantamount to

disbarment. The State Bar has filed a response, asking this Court

to grant Stephenson’s petition.

Having reviewed the petition, we agree to accept Stephenson’s

petition for voluntary surrender of her license, pursuant to Rule 4-

104 (a), which is tantamount to disbarment. Accordingly, it is

hereby ordered that the name of Pamela Sturdivant Stephenson be

removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the

State of Georgia. Stephenson is reminded of her duties pursuant to

Bar Rule 4-219 (b).

Voluntary surrender of license accepted. All the Justices concur.

1 The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.2, 1.3, and 8.4 (a) (4)

is disbarment; the maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.4, 1.5, and 3.2 is a public reprimand.

2 Decided September 28, 2020.

Voluntary surrender of license. Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K. Mittelman, Wolanda R. Shelton, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.