The State Bar filed a Notice of Discipline against Respondent Christopher David Adams alleging violations of Standards 25 (lawyer shall not practice law in jurisdiction where to do so would be in violation of regulations of the profession in that jurisdiction), 44 (wilful abandonment or disregard of a legal matter to the client’s detriment), and 45 (f) (lawyer shall not institute, cause to be instituted or settle a legal proceeding or claim without obtaining proper authorization from his client), and Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (a) (lawyer shall abide by client’s decision whether to accept an offer of settlement), 1.3 (lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing client), 1.15 (I) (lawyer shall hold prop
As set forth in SDB Docket No. 4240, Adams instituted a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of a client without the client’s authorization, settled the lawsuit without authorization, received the settlement check for $1,200 made payable to himself and the client and forged the client’s endorsement, keeping and converting all the settlement funds to his own use. Adams concealed the fact of the settlement from the client and did not share the proceeds nor make any accounting to the client of the settlement funds.
According to SDB Docket No. 4241, Adams instituted a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of two other clients which he subsequently settled without their authorization for $5,200. After receiving the settlement check, Adams deposited it in his operating account and converted the funds to his own use while concealing the fact of the settlement from his clients. When the clients subsequently learned of the settlement and confronted Adams, he gave them each a check for $754.61 drawn on his operating account, but without accounting for or providing any explanation of the actual settlement funds and their portions. These checks were later dishonored by Adams’ bank due to insufficient funds.
In SDB Docket No. 4242, Adams admits that despite being sus
Finally, as set forth in SDB Docket No. 4243, Adams represented plaintiffs in a number of civil actions filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia while he was suspended. In some of these cases he appeared and filed pleadings, in some he failed to properly withdraw as plaintiffs’ counsel, and in some he failed to properly prosecute the cases or comply with orders of the trial court with the result that the cases were dismissed.
Although Adams was personally served with a Notice of Investigation covering all four matters on August 31, 2001, he failed to answer it. The State Bar notes that the facts deemed admitted by Adams show a pattern of neglect, dishonesty, and a disregard of his duty to the disciplinary process and to the United States District Court. Further, Adáms has been subject to prior discipline as evidenced by his current suspension from the practice of law since February 14, 2001, ordered by this Court in Case No. S01Y0586, and his previous interim suspension from March 2, 2000 through May 9, 2000 (Case No. S00Y0896).
We agree with the State Bar that disbarment is warranted as a result of Adams’ violations of Disciplinary Standards 25, 44 and 45 (f) and Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (a), 1.3,1.15 (I) and (II), 1.16, 5.5 (a), 8.4 (a) and 9.3 of Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Accordingly, Adams is hereby disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Georgia. Pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (c), Adams shall immediately cease the practice of law in Georgia and shall within 30 days notify all clients of his inability to represent them and of the necessity for promptly retaining new counsel, and shall take all actions necessary to protect the interests of his clients. Adams is further reminded of his duty to certify to this Court within 45 days of the entry of this order that he has satisfied the requirements of Bar Rule 4-219 (c).
Disbarred.