Lawyer Who Mishandled Funds Denied Bid for Voluntary Discipline

An attorney’s bid for voluntary discipline was rejected Wednesday when the Georgia Supreme Court found that his alleged misconduct in misappropriating client funds could potentially warrant disbarment without substantial mitigation.

Edward Hine Jr. submitted a petition for voluntary discipline, prior to the issuance of a formal complaint, admitting he failed to adequately communicate with his clients and mishandled client funds. Hine asked that he receive a six-month suspension as a sanction for his violations of the rules.

The State Bar agreed with Hine that the court “might appropriately order” a six-month suspension as punishment for the acknowledged misconduct, citing mitigating ...