Narrative Opinion Summary
Stephen M. Pavuk submitted a petition for voluntary surrender of his law license to the State Bar of Georgia under Bar Rule 4-106. A special master reviewed the case and found that Pavuk had pleaded guilty to three felony charges: bribery, violation of oath by a public officer, and conspiracy to restrain free and open competition involving political subdivisions. The special master concluded that these guilty pleas violated Standard 66 of Bar Rule 4-102 and recommended that Pavuk's petition be approved. The Office of General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia also supported this recommendation. The petition for voluntary surrender of license, which is treated as disbarment, was granted, with all Justices concurring. The decision was made on March 13, 1990. Legal representation included William P. Smith III and Bridget B. Bagley for the State Bar, and Douglas N. Peters for Pavuk.
Legal Issues Addressed
Guilty Pleas as Grounds for Disbarmentsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The guilty pleas to the felony charges of bribery, violation of oath by a public officer, and conspiracy were determined to constitute grounds for disbarment under Standard 66 of Bar Rule 4-102.
Reasoning: A special master reviewed the case and found that Pavuk had pleaded guilty to three felony charges: bribery, violation of oath by a public officer, and conspiracy to restrain free and open competition involving political subdivisions.
Judicial Concurrence in Disbarmentsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The decision to grant Pavuk's petition for voluntary surrender, treated as disbarment, was unanimously agreed upon by all Justices, finalizing the disbarment process.
Reasoning: The petition for voluntary surrender of license, which is treated as disbarment, was granted, with all Justices concurring.
Recommendation for Approval of Voluntary Surrendersubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The special master and the Office of General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia both recommended approval of Pavuk's petition for voluntary surrender of his license, equating it to disbarment.
Reasoning: The special master concluded that these guilty pleas violated Standard 66 of Bar Rule 4-102 and recommended that Pavuk's petition be approved. The Office of General Counsel of the State Bar of Georgia also supported this recommendation.
Voluntary Surrender of Law License under Bar Rule 4-106subscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: Stephen M. Pavuk submitted a petition for the voluntary surrender of his law license, which was treated as disbarment, following his guilty pleas to several felony charges.
Reasoning: Stephen M. Pavuk submitted a petition for voluntary surrender of his law license to the State Bar of Georgia under Bar Rule 4-106.