Opinion
S23Y0502.
03-07-2023
In the MATTER OF Nathan E. HARDWICK IV.
Kristen Wright Novay , Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C., 3151 Maple Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, for Appellant. Paula J. Frederick , General Counsel, Jenny K. Mittelman , William Dallas NeSmith, III , Deputy General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, 104 Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2934, for Appellee.
Kristen Wright Novay , Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C., 3151 Maple Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, for Appellant. Paula J. Frederick , General Counsel, Jenny K. Mittelman , William Dallas NeSmith, III , Deputy General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, 104 Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2934, for Appellee.
Per Curiam.
This matter is before the Court on a petition for voluntary surrender of license filed by Nathan E. Hardwick IV (State Bar No. 325686) prior to the filing of a formal complaint. See Bar Rule 4-227(b)(2). Hardwick, who has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1991, was suspended by this Court following his convictions in federal court on numerous felonies involving financial fraud. See In the Matter of Hardwick, 305 Ga. 37, 823 S.E.2d 301 (2019). In his petition, Hardwick admits that his convictions have been affirmed. See United States v. Hardwick, 25 F.4th 829 (11th Cir. 2022). A felony conviction constitutes a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(2) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct ("GRPC") found in Bar Rule 4-102(d), and the maximum penalty for a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(2) is disbarment.
The State Bar has filed a response, requesting that the Court accept Hardwick's petition.
Based upon our review of the petition and response, we agree that acceptance of Hardwick's petition for voluntary surrender of his license, which is tantamount to disbarment, see GRPC 1.0(s), is in the best interests of the Bar and the public and is consistent with prior similar cases. See, e.g., In the Matter of Celello, 308 Ga. 339, 840 S.E.2d 349 (2020); In the Matter of Fudge, 301 Ga. 793, 804 S.E.2d 59 (2017). Accordingly, the name of Nathan E. Hardwick IV is hereby removed from the rolls of persons entitled to practice law in the State of Georgia. Hardwick is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219(b).
Voluntary surrender of license accepted.
All the Justices concur.