IN RE: Neville Trevor FRANCIS. (2015)

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the petition for voluntary discipline filed by Neville Trevor Francis (State Bar 272666). Francis, who was admitted to the Bar in 1989, seeks a Review Panel reprimand for the improper use of his trust account.

Francis describes himself as a solo practitioner with a “very small, almost non-existent practice.” He admits that prior to the initiation of this matter, he did not maintain an operating account for his practice and that on July 5, 2013, he wrote a check to himself from his trust account for $1,300.00, believing that those funds were available and owed to him as fees, but the check resulted in an overdraft of $40.95. He also admits that it had been his practice to allow some of his clients to make deposits to his trust account for the fees to be earned and for fees that had already been earned and that this practice resulted in a co-mingling of personal and fiduciary funds. He admits that his conduct constitutes a violation of Rule 1.15(II) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4–102(d). However, he has now completed an audit of his practice with the State Bar's Law Practice Management program and has implemented the recommendations made as a result of the audit. He asserts that his conduct was not for a selfish or dishonest motive and that he has cooperated with the State Bar during the disciplinary process.

The State Bar responds that it does not object to the request for the imposition of a Review Panel reprimand, noting Francis's cooperation and the fact that no clients were harmed. Although Francis has had three prior instances of confidential discipline, Investigative Panel reprimands in 2010 and 2011 and a formal letter of admonition in 2011, see State Bar Rule 4–208, having reviewed the matter carefully, 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 Neville Trevor Francis receive a Review Panel reprimand in accordance with Bar Rules 4–102(b)(4) and 4–220(b) for his admitted violation of Rule 1.15(II).

Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Review Panel reprimand.

PER CURIAM.

All the Justices concur.