On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of Georgia removed attorney Sanjay Patel from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the state, following a disciplinary proceeding that resulted in his disbarment.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Sanjay Patel,” with case no. S25Y0424.
Patel was found to have violated the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, which require lawyers to promptly notify clients or third parties of funds received on their behalf, deliver those funds, and provide a full accounting upon request.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a formal complaint issued by the State Bar in November 2021, alleging misconduct in a real estate refinancing transaction. Patel represented a lender in the transaction, where the borrower, referred to as the Grievant, was involved. On May 24, 2019, the lender wired $469,571.59 to Patel’s attorney’s escrow account to pay off the Grievant’s existing mortgages. However, Patel failed to disburse the funds to clear all mortgages and did not account for or remit a significant portion of the escrowed money. The Special Master’s report determined that Patel misappropriated at least $235,565.62 of the Grievant’s funds from the escrow account.
During the disciplinary process, Patel did not respond to the State Bar’s interrogatories, document requests, or requests for admissions, nor did he comply with two court orders compelling him to do so. As a result, the Special Master struck Patel’s answer to the formal complaint and deemed the allegations admitted due to his intentional and willful failure to cooperate. At a hearing to assess mitigating and aggravating factors, Patel acknowledged receiving the funds into his escrow account but stated they had subsequently “disappeared.”
The Special Master applied the American Bar Association Standards for Imposing Lawyer Discipline, concluding that Patel’s actions constituted an intentional violation of his professional duty to safeguard third-party property. The Grievant suffered significant financial harm, and Patel’s actions damaged the reputation of the legal profession.
Aggravating factors included a prior disciplinary offense—a 2014 Investigative Panel Reprimand —Patel’s substantial experience as an attorney, a dishonest motive, and his failure to make restitution despite expressing intent to do so. No mitigating factors were found, as Patel’s mention of substance abuse issues lacked a demonstrated connection to his misconduct.
The Special Master recommended disbarment, citing precedents such as In the Matter of Cheatham (2018) and In the Matter of Harris (2017), where attorneys were disbarred for misappropriating funds in real estate transactions.
The Supreme Court of Georgia agreed with the recommendation. Patel’s readmission to the bar is contingent upon full restitution. He was reminded of his duties under Bar Rule 4-219 (b) following disbarment.
The Disposition states:
“Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the name of Sanjay Patel be removed from the rolls of persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Patel was a real estate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Vanderbilt University Law School, graduating in 2004. He acquired his law license in Georgia in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
