In The Matter Of Georgia Anne Shobe

Georgia Anne Shobe, admitted to practice in 1984, entered into an Agreement for Discipline by Consent with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) resolving seven disciplinary complaints filed between 2020 and 2022. Respondent admitted violating Rules of Professional Conduct including Rule 1.1 (competence), Rule 1.3 (diligence), Rule 1.4 (communication), Rule 1.15(d) (client property), Rule 1.16(d) (termination duties), and Rule 8.1(b) (responding to ODC demands). Specific incidents include failure to provide case files and invoices to multiple clients (Matters A through G), neglecting client communications, not responding to ODC investigations, and failing to refund unearned fees. Respondent had prior discipline with letters of caution in 2003 and 2009. The Respondent neglected seven clients, prejudicing several, and failed to respond to multiple ODC investigations despite being contacted repeatedly.

The court needed to determine the appropriate sanction for attorney Georgia Anne Shobe who admitted to violating multiple Rules of Professional Conduct across seven disciplinary matters. Issues included failure to communicate with clients, failure to provide case files and invoices, failure to respond to ODC investigations, and failure to pay restitution. The court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent and imposed a six-month definite suspension from practice of law.

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepts an Agreement for Discipline by Consent and suspends Respondent Georgia Anne Shobe from the practice of law for six months. Respondent must pay investigative and prosecutorial costs within thirty days, complete the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Ethics School within one year, and enter into a restitution plan to pay restitution to Clients C, E, F, and G.

The court imposed a six-month definite suspension from practicing law in South Carolina. The respondent must pay investigation and prosecution costs incurred by ODC and the Commission within thirty days. Within one year, the respondent must complete the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Ethics School and provide proof of completion within ten days. Additionally, within thirty days, the respondent must enter into a restitution agreement approved by the Commission to pay $2,500 to Client C, $3,500 to Client E, $3,000 to Client F, and $1,000 to Client G.

The court applied the Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 407, SCACR) including Rules 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.15(d) (prompt delivery of client property), 1.16(d) (surrender of papers upon termination), 1.5(f) (written fee agreement requirements), and 8.1(b) (responding to disciplinary demands). The Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE) Rule 21 and Rule 7(a)(1) governed the consent agreement and disciplinary grounds. Rule 417, SCACR financial recordkeeping requirements were also violated.

In re Moore