On Tuesday, August 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of Georgia ruled on the Notice of Discipline issued by the State Bar of Georgia recommending the disbarment of Lawrenceville attorney Stephen Anthony Power relating to charges for attorney discipline.

The case, titled ‘In the Matter of Stephen Anthony Power’ was brought by the State Bar of Georgia, Case # S22Y0536.

The charges cited Power’s violation of Rules 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.15(II), 1.16(d), and 9.3 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.

According to the filing:

“After the State Bar requested that Power acknowledge service of the Notice and he failed to respond, the State Bar made several attempts to personally serve Power at the address on record with the State Bar, but was unable to perfect personal service. The State Bar then properly served Power by publication pursuant to Bar Rule 4-203.1 (b) (3) (ii), but Power failed to file a Notice of Rejection. Therefore, he is in default, has waived his right to an evidentiary hearing, and is subject to such discipline and further proceedings as may be determined by this Court. “

The charge involves three matters set out in State Disciplinary Board Docket (SBD) Nos. 7532, 7533, and 7534. Due to Power’s default, the findings of fact by the Board was deemed admitted. 

SBD No. 7532 relates to Power’s non-performance of any legal services for a client in a divorce proceeding; failure to respond to his client’s requests for information; failure to respond when his client terminated the representation; and for failure to refund the fee.

SBD No. 7533 involves Power’s non-filing of a petition which he indicated to the client in a verification form that he will be filing, and his failure to communicate or respond to any of his client’s requests for information.

SBD No. 7534 arose from the State Bar having received notification that Power’s trust account was overdrawn for $1,500 in April 2020, and additional overdraft notice of $3,000 on May 2020. The State Bar inquired from Power about the overdrafts but Power did not respond. 

The filing continues:

“Based on these facts, the State Disciplinary Board found probable cause to believe that Power violated Rules 1.2 (a), 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 (a), 1.15 (I), 1.15 (II), 1.15 (III), 1.16 (d), and 9.3 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). The maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.2, 1.3, 1.15 (I), 1.15 (II), and 1.15 (III) is disbarment, and the maximum sanction for a violation of Rules 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, and 9.3 is a public reprimand. “

Correspondingly, the Board recommended the disbarment of Power.

The Court, having reviewed the record, concluded that disbarment is the appropriate sanction in this matter. 

In its Order, the Court ruled:

“… it is hereby ordered that the name of Stephen Anthony Power be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Power is reminded of his duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-219 (b).

Disbarred. All the Justices concur.”

According to Avvo,  Mr. Power, earned his Juris Doctor degree from the  University of Houston, graduating in 2001. Power practices in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He has been licensed in Georgia, license #600565, and Hawaii.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.