The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday disbarred Stone Mountain lawyer Xavier Dicks for abandoning a client.
Dicks did not return phone calls seeking comment. Over the years, Dicks represented a number of high-profile clients, including singer Bobby Brown when he was arrested for traffic violations and David Ramsey, who was convicted of conspiring to murder DeKalb County Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown three days before he was to be sworn into office.
In an opinion, the state Supreme Court said a client, whose name was not disclosed, hired Dicks in 2007 to file a lawsuit to enforce a $175,000 mechanic's lien. Even though Dicks knew the statute of limitations for the suit would expire Dec. 15, 2007, he did not file suit until Jan. 18, 2008, the court said.
Dicks later told the client he missed the statute of limitations deadline and agreed to pay the client $25,000 by Sept. 28, 2009, the opinion said. But Dicks has paid just $6,000 of that restitution, the court said.
A special master who reviewed a complaint filed against Dicks with the State Bar of Georgia determined that Dicks did not make a timely or good-faith effort to make restitution, refused to acknowledge the wrongful nature of his conduct, submitted false evidence during the State Bar's disciplinary process and had two prior disciplinary actions against him, the opinion said.
Although Dicks, who has practiced law in Georgia since 1991, sought to be disciplined by a public reprimand and by paying restitution, the court disbarred him from the practice of law. The opinion noted that the special master "found that nothing in the record indicated that another reprimand or even a period of suspension would adequately protect future clients, opposing parties and courts from Dicks' continued misconduct."
About the Author
