In the Matter of Shelitha Renee Robertson

Shelitha Renee Robertson, a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1996, was found guilty in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. She asked the Supreme Court of Georgia to voluntarily suspend her law license while she appeals those criminal convictions, and she agreed her convictions violate the state's rule against attorneys committing crimes involving fraud or dishonesty. The State Bar of Georgia reviewed her request and recommended it be granted. The Supreme Court of Georgia agreed, pointing to earlier cases where it accepted similar requests for suspension during a pending criminal appeal. The court ordered Robertson suspended from practicing law in Georgia until her appeal is resolved and the court issues a further order.

The court held that Robertson's petition for voluntary interim suspension should be accepted because her federal wire fraud and money laundering convictions violate Rule 8.4 (a) (2) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, and she is suspended from practicing law until her direct appeal concludes and the court issues further order.

The suspension means Robertson cannot practice law in Georgia while her criminal appeal proceeds, protecting clients and the public from being represented by an attorney convicted of fraud crimes. It also shows how Georgia handles lawyers facing serious criminal convictions before their appeals are finished.

Petition for interim suspension accepted; suspended until further order

1. Robertson admitted she was found guilty in federal court of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, and that these convictions violate Rule 8.4 (a) (2) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, a rule that bars lawyers from committing certain serious crimes.
2. The maximum penalty for violating that rule is disbarment, meaning permanent loss of the ability to practice law, but Robertson instead asked only for a suspension while her criminal appeal is pending.
3. The State Bar of Georgia reviewed her petition and filed a response recommending it be granted, supporting the request for a temporary suspension rather than immediate disbarment.
4. The court looked to its own past decisions, including a case where it accepted a similar petition for voluntary suspension pending appeal and another where it accepted interim suspension while criminal charges were still pending, and found this case consistent with that approach.
5. Based on that precedent and the Bar's recommendation, the court concluded Robertson's petition should be accepted and ordered her suspended from practicing law in Georgia until her direct appeal is finally resolved.

• attorney suspension
• wire fraud conviction
• money laundering
• State Bar of Georgia
• voluntary suspension pending appeal