IN RE: Timothy Michael ORANGE (2026)

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the report and recommendation of Special Master Adam M. Hames, who recommends that this Court accept the Petition for Voluntary Surrender of License filed by Timothy Michael Orange (State Bar No. 632649) following his felony guilty plea conviction, which constitutes a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(2) (providing that it is a violation of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct for a lawyer to be convicted of a felony) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102(d). The maximum penalty for a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(2) is disbarment.

The record reflects that, in November 2025, Orange who has been a member of the Bar since October 2022, entered an Alford 1 plea to one count of theft by taking in violation of OCGA § 16-8-2, and the court sentenced him to 10 years of probation, plus fines, and $67,348 in restitution. Based on the guilty plea, the Bar initiated proceedings under Bar Rule 4-106, and after a show cause hearing, Orange filed a Petition for Voluntary Surrender of License, admitting that, by his guilty plea conviction, he had violated Rule 8.4(a)(2) and seeking to resolve the instant case, as well as two other disciplinary matters that were still pending before a Special Master. The Bar responded to Orange's petition by recommending that the Special Master accept it, and the Special Master thereafter issued his report, recommending that the Court accept Orange's petition.

Having reviewed the record, we accept the Special Master's recommendation and, therefore, accept Orange's Petition for Voluntary Surrender of License, which is tantamount to disbarment. See Rule 1.0(u). This resolution is consistent with prior similar cases. See, e.g., In the Matter of Wersant, 322 Ga. 600, 601, 920 S.E.2d 687 (2025) (accepting voluntary surrender of license where attorney violated Rule 8.4(a)(2)); In the Matter of Jones, 320 Ga. 448, 448, 909 S.E.2d 441 (2024) (same); In the Matter of Williams, 291 Ga. 659, 659, 732 S.E.2d 85 (2012) (same). Accordingly, the name Timothy Michael Orange shall be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Orange is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219(b).

FOOTNOTES

1.   North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 91 S.Ct. 160, 27 L.Ed.2d 162 (1970).

Per Curiam.

Voluntary surrender of license accepted. All the Justices concur.