How to File a Bar Complaint against a Lawyer in Georgia (PDF)

 

Ethics rules must be followed by all lawyers. A lawyer’s obligations to clients, the courts, and the public are described in these rules. During this process, lawyers who violate ethics rules are disciplined in order to protect the public. In a judicial capacity, the Office of the General Counsel cannot consider complaints.

Please read all information and instructions carefully before sending a grievance since it is a legal document. 

How does it work

Once a grievance form is received, the Office of the General Counsel will start its investigation. After examining the grievance, a copy of it will be sent to the lawyer for further explanation. You will then have the opportunity to review the response and provide any rebuttal. The office may not respond immediately after receiving your statement, but you will eventually receive an update when they finish their investigation.

Following this, if they discover an ethical violation, they will forward the complaint file to an Investigative Panel member of the State Disciplinary Board who looks into it more closely and makes a decision with their full panel. If no unethical behavior was uncovered, your request is closed and you are sent an explanation for why.

Note

Be advised that the Office of the General Counsel is unable to provide legal advice, intervene in court decisions or facilitate the recovery of funds for you. If you feel that your attorney didn’t adequately represent you, leading to an undesired outcome, it’s important to note that the State Bar of Georgia cannot address any aforementioned issues such as malpractice or poor assistance with counsel. Therefore, if you think there was a failure in representation on part of your lawyer, it is best to consult another attorney regarding your rights.

Instructions

File a grievance by completing the grievance form below, signing it, dating it, making a copy for yourself, and returning the original with your original signature to the Office of the General Counsel: (State Bar of Georgia Office of the General Counsel 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30303). 

Please be aware that incomplete forms may be returned for correction. If you allege conclusions without explaining the facts that support those conclusions, you will either be requested for additional information or your grievance will be dismissed.

In order to expedite the processing of your documents, please follow the instructions below.

  • DO NOT send fax copies of the grievance.
  • The submission(s) cannot exceed 25 pages.
  • DO NOT send medical records or documents with Social Security numbers.
  • Photographs and pages of irregular size should not be added.
  • DO NOT bind (staple or tape) any pages of the grievance.
  • DO NOT send CDs, DVDs or flash drives unless requested.
  • DO NOT write on the back of pages or use a highlighter.
  • Please make a copy of your complete grievance for your records before submitting it to the Office of the General Counsel.
  • Each grievance form should only list one attorney.
  • DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Georgia Bar Complaint Against Lawyer Form

Georgia Bar Complaint Against Lawyer Form