In re Greene, 293 Ga. 897

Michael F. Greene (State Bar No. 307901), admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1993, filed a Petition for Voluntary Discipline admitting violations of multiple Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.
Matter 1: Greene settled an automobile-accident case but failed to remit all funds due to an insurer; after a grievance, he fully compensated his client when the insurer declined to assert a claim. He admitted violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(I), 1.15(II), 1.16(d), and 8.4.
Matter 2: Greene failed to appear at trial in a case for a business-client, resulting in a default judgment; after a grievance he reimbursed the client for the judgment and fees. He admitted violations of Rules 1.3 and 1.4 in this matter.
Greene disclosed significant personal health problems during the relevant period (clinical depression, alcoholism, bipolar disorder), sought treatment (interim rehabilitation, psychiatric counseling, medication), has not practiced law since the grievances, and expressed remorse.
The State Bar recommended accepting Greene’s petition, noting mitigating factors (no prior discipline, restitution, cooperation, remorse) and citing prior Georgia cases imposing 18–24 month suspensions for similar misconduct.
The Court accepted the petition and ordered an 18‑month suspension, conditioned on psychiatric certification and Review Panel reinstatement procedures.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Appropriate discipline for admitted rule violations involving mishandling/retention of funds and neglect	Greene asked for an 18–24 month suspension with conditions, emphasizing mitigation, restitution, treatment, and remorse	State Bar supported acceptance and comparable suspension length given authorities and mitigation	Petition accepted; 18‑month suspension imposed
Sufficiency of restitution and remedial measures	Greene contended he fully reimbursed clients and cooperated, which warrants mitigation	State Bar acknowledged restitution as mitigating	Court treated restitution and cooperation as mitigating factors in imposing suspension
Reinstatement conditions given health/impairment concerns	Greene agreed to psychiatric clearance and condition on reinstatement	State Bar required appropriate certification and standard reinstatement review	Suspension to be lifted only upon psychiatrist certification (dated within 3 months before end of suspension) and Review Panel recommendation; Greene may not practice until Court rules
Procedural resolution via Petition for Voluntary Discipline	Greene sought to resolve both matters by petitioning for voluntary discipline	State Bar supported petition to resolve both grievances	Court accepted petition, resolving both matters with the conditioned suspension

In the Matter of Ballard, 279 Ga. 663 (examples of 18‑month/2‑year suspensions for client‑fund violations)
In the Matter of Weems, 270 Ga. 145 (discipline precedent supporting suspension length)
In the Matter of Hodges, 268 Ga. 114 (discipline precedent supporting suspension length)
In the Matter of Taylor, 268 Ga. 754 (discipline precedent supporting suspension length)
In the Matter of Fair, 292 Ga. 308 (procedural requirement that reinstatement petition be submitted to Review Panel)