In the Matter of Sandra M. Fuller

307 Ga. 581

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: December 23, 2019
• Docket: S19Z1567
• Status: Published

Opinion

307 Ga. 581 FINAL COPY

S19Z1567. IN THE MATTER OF SANDRA M. FULLER.

PER CURIAM.

This matter is before the Court on the Application for

Certification of Fitness to Practice Law, pursuant to Part A, Section

10 of the Rules Governing Admission to Practice Law in Georgia (the

“Rules”), submitted by Sandra M. Fuller. In 2011, Fuller voluntarily

surrendered her license to practice law, which is tantamount to

disbarment, after she was found guilty of nine felony counts of theft

by conversion and sentenced under the First Offender Act. See Rule

8.4 (a) (2) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct; see also Rule

1.0 (e). The convictions arose from Fuller’s failure to remit fees she

earned performing indigent defense work to the law firm with which

she was employed at the time the fees were earned. See Clarke v. State, 317 Ga. App. 471 (731 SE2d 100) (2012) (affirming

convictions)1.

On June 8, 2018, Fuller submitted the instant Application for

Certification, in which she disclosed her prior convictions and noted

that she has since been discharged under the First Offender Act. In

support of her application, Fuller submitted a statement of

rehabilitation in which she describes having recommitted herself to

service following her disbarment through involvement in her church

and through her work, first as a volunteer and then as a full-time

paid consultant, with Conquer Worldwide, LLC, a ministry-based

organization helping individuals build successful businesses. Fuller

also notes her service with other organizations, as well as her receipt

of various leadership and service awards over the past several years.

In addition to her statement of rehabilitation, Fuller submitted

letters of recommendation from eight individuals, including her

current employer, current and past Conquer Worldwide clients, and

1 Fuller was denominated in her appeal by her then-married name, “Clarke.”

2 a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, attesting to

Fuller’s integrity, commitment, and talent.

Through its investigation, the Fitness Board determined that

no grievances or other disciplinary matters against Fuller are

pending before the State Bar and that all required restitution has

been made to the Client Security Fund. At an informal conference

convened before the Fitness Board, Fuller acknowledged and

accepted responsibility for her past wrongdoing, expressed gratitude

for the personal growth she has undergone in its aftermath, and

described her desire to reestablish her standing as a productive

member of the Bar. After considering Fuller’s testimony and written

submissions, the Fitness Board concluded that Fuller had, by clear

and convincing evidence, carried her burden of demonstrating

rehabilitation. See In re Cason, 249 Ga. 806, 808 (294 SE2d 520)

(1982) (Bar admission applicant bears burden to establish

rehabilitation by clear and convincing evidence).

Upon consideration of the entire record, we likewise conclude

that Fuller has shown that she is entitled to be certified as fit to

3 practice law in Georgia. Accordingly, as it appears that Fuller has

satisfied all requirements for approval of her application for

certification of fitness, see Rules, Part A, Section 10, this Court

hereby grants Fuller’s application for certification of fitness and

orders that, upon satisfaction of all the requirements of Part B of the

Rules, including taking and passing the Georgia Bar Examination,

Fuller may be readmitted as an attorney licensed to practice law in

the State of Georgia.

Certification of fitness for readmission granted. All the Justices

concur.

4 DECIDED DECEMBER 23, 2019. Reinstatement. Heidi M. Faenza, for Office of Bar Admissions.