In the Matter of Vincent C. Otuonye

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: October 16, 2017
• Docket: S18Y0141
• Status: 200

Opinion

302 Ga. 374 FINAL COPY

S18Y0141. IN THE MATTER OF VINCENT C. OTUONYE.

PER CURIAM.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition filed by

Vincent C. Otuonye (State Bar No. 555470) seeking the voluntary suspension

of his license to practice law pending the outcome of an appeal of his criminal

conviction, see Bar Rule 4-106 (f). Because we agree that such a suspension is

appropriate, we accept Otuonye’s petition.

On April 20, 2017, Vincent C. Otuonye was convicted in the Superior

Court of Mitchell County, Georgia, on one felony count of Criminal Attempt to

Furnish Prohibited Items to Inmates in violation of OCGA § 42-5-18. Otuonye,

who has been a member of the Bar since 2000, recognizes that his conviction,

which constitutes a violation of Rule 8.4 (a) (2) of Bar Rule 4-102 (d), would

make him subject to the provisions of Bar Rule 4-106. Stating that he has

initiated an appeal of his conviction, however, Otuonye filed this petition

requesting that the Court suspend his license pending the resolution of his appeal. The Bar has indicated that it has no objection to Otuonye’s petition, and

the special master, Margaret G. Washburn, recommends that we accept it.

Based on our review of the record, we agree that the petition should be

accepted. Accordingly, Otuonye hereby is suspended from the practice of law

in this State until further order of this Court. He is directed to notify the State

Bar of the final disposition of his direct appeal within ten days of that

disposition and is reminded of his duties under Bar Rule 4-219 (c).

Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Suspended until further order

of the Court. All the Justices concur.

2 Decided October 16, 2017.

Suspension.

Paula J. Frederick, General Counsel State Bar, Jenny K. Mittelman,

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