Matter of Lewis
Georgia Supreme Court
463 S.E.2d 862 (1995)
- Written by Jody Stuart, JD
Facts
Peggy Uselton hired James Lewis (defendant), an attorney, to represent her in a personal-injury claim against DeKalb County. Uselton signed a contingent-fee contract that provided Lewis with full power and authority to settle the lawsuit. Subsequently, Lewis settled the lawsuit without first informing Uselton about the settlement offer. Uselton rejected the settlement, discharged Lewis, and filed a complaint with the State Bar of Georgia (the bar). The bar then filed a complaint against Lewis, alleging that he had violated Standard 45 of the bar’s disciplinary rules by settling Uselton’s lawsuit without consulting Uselton about the settlement offer. The review panel of the state disciplinary board agreed that Lewis had violated Standard 45 and recommended suspension of Lewis from the practice of law for 18 months.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)
Dissent (Sears, J.)
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