In the Supreme Court of Georgia
Decided: February 8, 2016
S15Y1766, S15Y1767. IN THE MATTER OF STEPHEN B. TAYLOR.
PER CURIAM.
These disciplinary matters are before the Court on Notices of Discipline
seeking the disbarment of Stephen B. Taylor (State Bar No. 701200). The State
Bar attempted to serve Taylor personally at the address listed with the State Bar,
but the sheriff filed a return of service non est inventus. The State Bar then
properly served Taylor by publication, pursuant to Bar Rule 4-203.1 (b) (3) (ii),
but Taylor failed to file a Notice of Rejection. Therefore, he is in default, has
waived his rights to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and
further proceedings as may be determined by this Court. See Bar Rule 4-208.1
(b).
The facts, as deemed admitted by virtue of Taylor’s default, show that,
with regard to S15Y1766, Taylor agreed to represent a client in a criminal
sentencing matter and was paid $750 by the client’s family to do so. After a
single initial visit with the client, Taylor failed to do any work on the client’s
behalf, abandoned the matter, and failed to communicate with the client or the
client’s family. Similarly, in S15Y1767, Taylor agreed to represent a client in
a criminal matter and was paid $2,650 by the client’s family to do so. Taylor
failed to do any work on the matter, abandoned the matter, failed to
communicate with the client or the client’s family, and failed to return the fee
that he was paid. As to each matter, Taylor was served by publication with a
Notice of Investigation, but he failed to file a timely sworn, written response, as
required by Bar Rule 4-204.3
Based on these facts, the Investigative Panel found probable cause to
believe that, in S15Y1766, Taylor violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, and 9.3, all of the
Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). As to
S15Y1767, the Investigative Panel found probable cause to believe that Taylor
violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, and 9.3, along with Rule 1.16. The maximum sanction
for a violation of Rule 1.3 is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a
violation of Rules 1.4, 1.16, and 9.3 is a public reprimand. In aggravation of
discipline as to each of the matters, the Investigative Panel found that Taylor had
acted willfully in collecting a fee from these clients and abandoning the legal
matters entrusted to him, that he acted with a selfish motive in so doing, and that
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these two matters, taken together, show a pattern of client neglect. The Bar
further notes that this Court previously had imposed upon Taylor an interim
suspension, see In the Matter of Taylor, S13Y1720 (August 20, 2013), and that
he received an Investigative Panel reprimand in 2012.
Having reviewed the record, we conclude that disbarment is the
appropriate sanction in this matter. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the
name of Stephen B. Taylor be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to
practice law in the State of Georgia. Taylor is reminded of his duties pursuant
to Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred. All the Justices concur.
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