In the Matter of Shaquandra A. Woods

899 S.E.2d 209, 318 Ga. 609

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: March 5, 2024
• Docket: S24Y0566
• Status: Published

Opinion

318 Ga. 609 FINAL COPY

S24Y0566. IN THE MATTER OF SHAQUANDRA A. WOODS.

PER CURIAM.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Petition for

Voluntary Suspension of License Pending Appeal filed by

Shaquandra A. Woods (State Bar No. 579239) seeking the voluntary

suspension of her license to practice law pending the outcome of an

appeal of her criminal conviction, filed prior to the issuance of a

formal complaint under Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2). In her petition,

Woods, who has been a member of the Bar since 2019, admits that

on December 8, 2023, in the United States District Court for the

Southern District of Georgia, she was found guilty of conspiracy to

commit wire fraud, a felony, under 18 USC § 1349 and that her

sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2024. Woods admits that her

conviction violates Rule 8.4 (a) (2) of the Georgia Rules of

Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum

penalty for a violation of Rule 8.4 (a) (2) is disbarment. Woods represents that she plans to appeal her conviction. Woods states that

she will notify the State Bar of the final disposition of her appeal

within ten days of that disposition and that she will also comply with

the requirements of Bar Rule 4-219 (b). Woods prays that the Court

accept her Petition for Voluntary Suspension of License Pending

Appeal. In its response, the State Bar recommends that this Court

accept Woods’s Petition for Voluntary Suspension of License

Pending Appeal.

We have reviewed the record and agree to accept Woods’s

Petition for Voluntary Suspension of License Pending Appeal. See

In the Matter of Huber, 314 Ga. 426 (877 SE2d 243) (2022) (accepting

petition seeking an order of interim suspension of license pending

appeal of criminal convictions); In the Matter of McIver, 303 Ga. 802

(815 SE2d 53) (2018) (accepting petition seeking voluntary

suspension of license pending outcome of appeal of criminal

convictions). Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that Shaquandra A.

Woods be suspended from the practice of law in this State pending

the outcome of her appeal and until further order of this Court.

2 Woods is ordered to notify the State Bar’s Office of General Counsel

in writing within ten days of the final disposition of her appeal.

Woods is reminded of her duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (b).

Petition for interim suspension accepted. Suspension until further order of this Court. All the Justices concur.

Decided March 5, 2024.

Suspension.

Warren R. Hinds, for Woods.

Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, William D.

NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K.

Mittelman, Andreea N. Morrison, Assistant General Counsel State

Bar, for State Bar of Georgia.