IN RE: Alan Christopher NORTON. (2025)

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on a petition for voluntary surrender of license, filed by Alan Christopher Norton (State Bar No. 142506), before the issuance of a formal complaint. See Bar Rule 4-227 (b). Norton, who has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 2005 and who has been a member of the Tennessee Bar since 2019,¹ admits the following.

On December 20, 2024, Norton was indicted on three counts of forgery and three counts of criminal simulation in the State of Tennessee for signing, without permission, the name of a Chancellor of the 12th Judicial Circuit on three emergency orders in a conservatorship matter in which Norton represented one of the parties. Norton was not authorized to sign the orders and admits that he forged the Chancellor's signature on the orders. Based on his forgery, Norton admits that he violated Rule 8.4 (a) (4)² of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum penalty for a violation of this Rule is disbarment. Norton further acknowledges that the voluntary surrender of his license is tantamount to disbarment. See In the Matter of Williams, 291 Ga. 659, 732 S.E.2d 85 (2012). See also Bar Rule 1.0 (s). Wherefore, Norton requests that the Court accept the voluntary surrender of his license.

The State Bar has responded, recommending that the Court accept Norton's petition. Having reviewed the petition, we agree to accept Norton's petition for voluntary surrender of his license. See In the Matter of Griffieth, 298 Ga. 436, 782 S.E.2d 443 (2016) (accepting petition for voluntary surrender of license filed by attorney based on her first-degree forgery conviction). Norton is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (b).

Voluntary surrender of license accepted.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Norton states that his Tennessee license is currently suspended.

2.   Rule 8.4 (a) (4) provides that it shall be a violation of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct for a lawyer to engage in professional conduct involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

Per Curiam.

Peterson, C.J., Warren, P.J., and Bethel, Ellington, McMillian, LaGrua, Colvin, and Pinson, JJ., concur.