As amended through October 9, 2024
Rule 4-108 - Conduct Constituting Threat of Harm to Clients or Public; Emergency Suspension(a) Upon receipt of sufficient evidence demonstrating that a lawyer's conduct poses a substantial threat of harm to his clients or the public and at the direction of the Chair or Vice-Chair of the State Disciplinary Board, the Office of the General Counsel shall petition the Supreme Court of Georgia for the suspension of the lawyer pending disciplinary proceedings predicated upon the conduct causing such petition.(b) The petition for emergency suspension shall state the evidence justifying the emergency suspension.(c) The petition for emergency suspension shall be served upon the Respondent pursuant to Rule 4-203.1 .(d) Upon receipt of the petition for emergency suspension, the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Georgia shall file the matter in the records of the Court, shall assign the matter a Supreme Court docket number, and shall notify the Coordinating Special Master that appointment of a Special Master is appropriate.(e) The Coordinating Special Master shall appoint a Special Master pursuant to Rule 4-209(b) to conduct a hearing where the State Bar of Georgia shall show cause why the Respondent should be suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.(f) Within 15 days after service of the petition for emergency suspension upon the Respondent or appointment of a Special Master, whichever is later, the Special Master shall hold a hearing on the petition for emergency suspension.(g) Within 20 days of the hearing, the Special Master shall file his or her recommendation with the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Court may suspend the Respondent pending final disposition of disciplinary proceedings predicated upon the conduct causing the emergency suspension, or order such other action as it deems appropriate.