In the Matter of Richard M. Colbert

837 S.E.2d 761, 307 Ga. 675

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: January 13, 2020
• Docket: S19Y1650
• Status: Published

Opinion

307 Ga. 675 FINAL COPY

S19Y1650. IN THE MATTER OF RICHARD M. COLBERT.

PER CURIAM.

Richard M. Colbert (State Bar No. 176530), who was admitted

to the State Bar of Georgia in 1986, has filed a petition for voluntary

surrender of his license, stating that he is currently incarcerated in

federal prison as a consequence of his December 2016 guilty plea to

13 felony counts in the United States District Court for the Northern

District of Florida. He states that he notified the Florida Bar of the

convictions; that the Florida Bar granted his petition for disciplinary

revocation, which is tantamount to disbarment; that he failed to

notify the State Bar; and that the State Bar notified him in July

2019 that it had become aware of his convictions and Florida

revocation and requested that he submit this petition. He

acknowledges that because of his convictions and failure to notify

the Bar of them, he is in violation of Rules 8.4 (a) (2) and 9.1 of the

Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 8.4 (a) (2) is

disbarment and for 9.1 is a public reprimand. He also states that

he is subject to reciprocal discipline under Rule 9.4 and that

imposition of substantially similar discipline would be disbarment.

Finally, he acknowledges that the voluntary surrender of his license

is tantamount to disbarment. See Bar Rule 1.0 (r). The State Bar

has filed a response, asking the Court to accept the petition.

Having reviewed the petition and response, we agree to accept

Colbert’s petition for voluntary surrender of his license, which is

tantamount to disbarment. See Bar Rule 1.0 (r). Accordingly, it is

hereby ordered that the name of Richard M. Colbert be removed

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

Georgia. Colbert is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-

219 (b).

Voluntary surrender of license accepted. All the Justices

concur.

DECIDED JANUARY 13, 2020. Voluntary surrender of license.

2 Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K. Mittelman, James S. Lewis, Assistant General Counsel State Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.