In the Matter of Henry Lamar Willis

Henry Lamar Willis was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2006 but was disbarred in 2013 after he failed to properly maintain and disburse $30,000 in settlement funds for a client and used the money for himself. Twelve years later, Willis applied to be certified as fit to practice law again, describing a personal crisis around the time of his disbarment involving his divorce and a failed re-election bid, followed by years of counseling, community service, and business building. The Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants reviewed his application, held an informal conference, checked with the State Bar and the Clients' Security Fund, and recommended certifying him as rehabilitated. The Supreme Court of Georgia reviewed the record and agreed, granting Willis a certification of fitness, meaning he can be readmitted to the Bar once he meets remaining requirements, including passing the Georgia Bar Examination.

Willis met his burden of showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that he has been rehabilitated since his 2013 disbarment, so the Supreme Court of Georgia grants his application for certification of fitness, allowing readmission once he satisfies remaining bar admission requirements including passing the bar exam.

The decision shows how a disbarred Georgia lawyer can eventually return to legal practice by demonstrating years of rehabilitation, offering a roadmap for other disbarred attorneys and reassurance to clients and courts that readmission requires close scrutiny and proof of positive change.

Certification of fitness for readmission granted

1. The court applied the standard from In re Cason, which requires a bar applicant seeking readmission after disbarment to prove rehabilitation, meaning the reestablishment of a good reputation and restoration to a useful place in society, by clear and convincing evidence.
2. The Fitness Board investigated by notifying the State Bar, local judiciary, and the public where Willis had practiced, and confirmed with the Clients' Security Fund whether he owed any unpaid restitution, finding he owed $4,800 which he then paid.
3. The Board considered Willis's written statement describing personal struggles around the time of his disbarment and his subsequent counseling, business ventures, and community service, along with supportive letters from attorneys and a city council member.
4. Based on this evidence and Willis's testimony at an informal conference taking responsibility for his past conduct, the Fitness Board concluded he had proven rehabilitation and recommended certification, a conclusion the Supreme Court of Georgia adopted after reviewing the full record.
5. The court noted a similar prior case, In the Matter of Myers, where it had granted certification under comparable circumstances, supporting its decision to grant Willis's application.

• bar readmission
• attorney disbarment
• legal rehabilitation
• State Bar of Georgia