In the Matter of Cory Howerton Fleming ( 2022 )

In the Supreme Court of Georgia
Decided: January 11, 2022
S22Y0339. IN THE MATTER OF CORY HOWERTON FLEMING.
PER CURIAM.
This lawyer disciplinary matter is before the Court on the
petition for voluntary reciprocal discipline, in the form of an
emergency suspension, filed by Cory Howerton Fleming (State Bar
No. 292955). See Bar Rules 4-108 (a) (emergency suspension), 4-227
(b) (petition for voluntary discipline), and Georgia Rules of
Professional Conduct (“GRPC”) Rule 9.4 (b) (reciprocal discipline),
found in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Fleming admits that on October 8, 2021,
the Supreme Court of South Carolina issued an order for his interim
suspension from the practice of law under South Carolina’s
equivalent to Georgia Bar Rule 4-108 (a). Fleming promptly notified
the State Bar of the suspension, see GRPC 9.4 (b), and, in its
response to Fleming’s petition, the State Bar requests that the Court
grant the petition.
Having considered the petition and response, the Court agrees
that an order of emergency suspension is appropriate. See, e.g., In
the Matter of Moore, 303 Ga. 296, 296 n.1 (811 SE2d 343) (2018)
(disbarring attorney and noting Court’s prior grant of voluntary
petition for emergency suspension); In the Matter of Morris, 298 Ga.
864 (785 SE2d 408) (2016) (accepting petition for voluntary
emergency suspension where attorney admitted impairment); In the
Matter of Kirkland, 288 Ga. 480 (704 SE2d 806) (2011) (imposing
indefinite suspension as reciprocal discipline following emergency
suspension in Florida). Accordingly, the Court hereby accepts the
voluntary petition and directs that Cory Howerton Fleming be
suspended from the practice of law immediately and until further
order of this Court. Fleming is reminded of his duties pursuant to
Bar Rule 4–219 (b).
Petition for voluntary discipline accepted. Emergency
suspension. All the Justices concur.
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