In the Matter of George Constantine Holmes

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court disbarred George Constantine Holmes after he failed to respond to disciplinary proceedings arising from federal drug convictions and related misconduct. The court adopted the disciplinary panel’s recommendation, finding violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. Disbarment was effective as of December 15, 2021, and Holmes was ordered to comply with Rule 30 and surrender his law license certificate.

Holdings

1. Because Respondent failed to respond to the formal charges, all allegations of misconduct were deemed admitted.
2. Respondent's criminal convictions constituted misconduct under Rule 8.4(b) and Rule 8.1(b), and his misconduct constituted grounds for discipline under Rule 7(a)(1), (3), (4), (5), and (7) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
3. Disbarment was warranted and was imposed as of the date of the opinion.
4. Retroactive disbarment was not appropriate.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Respondent's criminal convictions and conduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.
2. Whether disbarment was the appropriate sanction for the admitted misconduct and aggravating circumstances.
3. Whether disbarment should be imposed retroactively.

Disposition

other