In the Supreme Court of Georgia
Decided: June 2, 2016
S16Y1280. IN THE MATTER OF TIFFINI COLETTE BELL.
PER CURIAM.
This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition for voluntary
discipline filed by Tiffini Colette Bell (State Bar No. 676971), prior to the
issuance of a formal complaint, see Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2). In her petition, Bell,
who became a member of the Bar in 2006, seeks the imposition of a Review
Panel reprimand, and admits that, in the representation of a client in a child
custody matter, she violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, and 8.4 (a) (4) by failing to
truthfully communicate with her client regarding discovery and appointment of
a guardian ad litem, failing to timely respond to discovery, failing to seek the
appointment of a guardian ad litem, and failing to thoroughly prepare for certain
hearings. The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.3 and 8.4 (a) (4) is
disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of 1.4 is a public
reprimand. Bell also admits that she received a confidential reprimand by the
Investigative Panel on November 20, 2015. In mitigation, Bell states, and the
State Bar does not disagree, that she lacked a selfish motive, that she sincerely
regrets her conduct, and that she has shown a cooperative attitude in the
disciplinary proceedings.
Having reviewed the petition and the State Bar’s response, we conclude
that a Review Panel reprimand is the appropriate sanction in this case, and we
therefore accept the petition for voluntary discipline. Accordingly, the Court
hereby orders that Bell receive a Review Panel reprimand in accordance with
Bar Rules 4-102 (b) (4) and 4-220 (b) for her admitted violations of Rules 1.3,
1.4, and 8.4 (a) (4).
Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Review Panel reprimand. All
the Justices concur.
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