Summary
granting attorney’s request for suspension of license pending the resolution of criminal charges, the underlying facts of which were related to a grievance filed with the State Bar by the attorney’s client
Summary of this case from In re YorkOpinion
No. S13Y0265.
2013-01-22
In the Matter of Cassandre M. GALETTE.
R. Gary Spencer, R. Gary Spencer, P.C., Atlanta, for appellant. Paula J. Frederick, Gen. Counsel, Rebecca A. Hall, Asst. Gen. Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, for appellee.
R. Gary Spencer, R. Gary Spencer, P.C., Atlanta, for appellant. Paula J. Frederick, Gen. Counsel, Rebecca A. Hall, Asst. Gen. Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, for appellee.
Anthony B. Askew, Chair, Review Panel, Atlanta, for other party.
PER CURIAM.
This matter is before the Court on a Request for Suspension of License Pending the Resolution of Criminal Charges filed by Cassandre M. Galette (State Bar No. 920625). Galette currently is facing criminal charges in the Superior Court of Fulton County. The facts underlying those charges are related to the facts alleged in a grievance filed by a client of Galette's, which prompted the Investigative Panel of the State Disciplinary Board to direct the Office of the General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia to file a Notice of Discipline against Galette seeking disbarment. Galette requests that the Court enter a temporary order of suspension of her license to practice law while the criminal charges are pending. She contends that if the disciplinary proceedings are not deferred she will face waiving constitutional rights that otherwise would be available in the criminal proceedings. The State Bar has filed a response agreeing that the Court should grant Galette's request to suspend her license to practice law pending the outcome of her criminal case. Galette currently is suspended under an interim suspension that began October 5, 2011 for failure to respond to the Investigative Panel and under an Administrative Suspension for failure to pay her Bar dues.
Having reviewed the record, the Court agrees that Galette's request should be granted, see In the Matter of Swank, 288 Ga. 479, 704 S.E.2d 807 (2011). Therefore, it is hereby ordered that Cassandre M. Galette be suspended from the practice of law in the State of Georgia during the pendency of the criminal charges against her and until further order of this Court. Galette is directed to notify the State Bar's Office of General Counsel within seven days of the disposition of the criminal charges whether by plea, verdict, dismissal, first offender probation or any other action amounting to final disposition of the criminal case. She is reminded of her duties under Bar Rule 4–219(c).
Suspended until further order of the Court.