In the Matter of Steven H. Ballard

Summary

The Supreme Court of Georgia considered six disciplinary matters involving attorney Steven H. Ballard. The court found violations including misuse of client trust funds, neglect and abandonment of client matters, dishonesty, and misrepresentation, and ordered that Ballard be disbarred.

Holdings

1. Because Ballard filed his Notice of Rejection outside the 30-day period, he was in default, had no right to an evidentiary hearing, and was subject to discipline by the Supreme Court of Georgia.
2. Ballard violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(I), 1.15(II), 1.16, 3.2, 4.1, and 8.4(a)(4) of Bar Rule 4-102(d), as alleged in the six notices of discipline.
3. Disbarment was warranted, and Ballard's name was removed from the rolls of lawyers authorized to practice law in Georgia.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Ballard's untimely Notice of Rejection placed him in default and eliminated his right to an evidentiary hearing.
2. Whether Ballard violated the specified Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct through neglect, failure to communicate, mishandling of client funds, failure to protect client interests on termination, failure to expedite litigation, dishonesty, and other misconduct.
3. What discipline was appropriate for Ballard's six matters, including his repeated misuse of client funds, dishonesty, and prior disciplinary history.

Disposition

other