In the Matter of Je'nita Lane

NOTICE: This opinion is subject to modification resulting from motions for reconsideration under Supreme Court
Rule 27, the Court’s reconsideration, and editorial revisions by the Reporter of Decisions. The version of the
opinion published in the Advance Sheets for the Georgia Reports, designated as the “Final Copy,” will replace any
prior version on the Court’s website and docket. A bound volume of the Georgia Reports will contain the final and
official text of the opinion.

In the Supreme Court of Georgia

Decided: December 9, 2025

S26Y0129. IN THE MATTER OF JE’NITA LANE.

PER CURIAM.

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on a petition for

voluntary surrender of license filed by Je’Nita Lane (State Bar No.

865134) before the issuance of a formal complaint. See Bar Rule 4-

227(b)(2). Lane, who has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia

since 2011, admits that, in two client matters, she violated Rules 1.3,

1.15(I)(a), 1.15(I)(c), 1.15(II)(a), 1.15(II)(b), and 1.15(III)(a) of the

Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct (“GRPC”), found in Bar Rule 4-

102(d). 1 Disbarment is the maximum penalty for violating each of

1Rule 1.3 states: “A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and
promptness in representing a client. Reasonable diligence as used in this rule
means that a lawyer shall not without just cause to the detriment of the client in
effect willfully abandon or willfully disregard a legal matter entrusted to the
lawyer.”
Rule 1.15(I)(a) states in relevant part: “A lawyer shall hold funds or other
property of clients or third persons that are in a lawyer’s possession in connection
these rules. Lane asks this Court to accept the voluntary surrender of

her license to practice law, which is tantamount to disbarment. See

GPRC 1.0(u). The State Bar recommends that the Court accept the

proposed discipline, and we agree.

With respect to State Disciplinary Board Docket (“SDBD”) No.

8025, Lane admits that she represented a husband and wife in a

with a representation separate from the lawyer’s own funds or other property.
Funds shall be kept in one or more separate accounts maintained in an approved
institution.”
Rule 1.15(I)(c) states in relevant part: “Upon receiving funds or other
property in which a client or third person has an interest, a lawyer shall promptly
notify the client or third person. Except as stated in this Rule or otherwise
permitted by law or by agreement with the client, a lawyer shall promptly deliver
to the client or third person any funds or other property that the client or third
person is entitled to receive.”
Rule 1.15(II)(a) states in relevant part: “All funds held by a lawyer for a
client and all funds held by a lawyer in any other fiduciary capacity shall be
deposited in and administered from a trust account.”
Rule 1.15(II)(b) states in relevant part: “No personal funds shall ever be
deposited in a lawyer’s trust account, except that unearned lawyer’s fees may be
so held until the same are earned. Sufficient personal funds of the lawyer may be
kept in the trust account to cover maintenance fees such as service charges on
the account…. No funds shall be withdrawn from such trust accounts for the
personal use of the lawyer maintaining the account except earned lawyer’s fees
debited against the account of a specific client and recorded as such.”
Rule 1.15(III)(a) states in relevant part: “Every lawyer who practices law
in Georgia and who receives money or other property on behalf of a client or in
any other fiduciary capacity shall maintain, in an approved financial institution
as defined by this Rule, a trust account or accounts, separate from any business
and personal accounts. Funds received by the lawyer on behalf of a client or in
any other fiduciary capacity shall be deposited into this account.”
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medical malpractice matter. During settlement negotiations, the

clients terminated their processional relationship with Lane. At that

time, Lane, who had previously settled a premises liability claim for

the clients, had $199,045.41 from the settlement in her IOLTA account

to satisfy the clients’ pending Medicaid lien. But before the lien was

satisfied, Lane withdrew funds from her IOLTA account. The lien

remains unsatisfied, and Lane does not have enough funds in her

IOLTA account to satisfy it. Based on this conduct, Lane admits that

she has violated Rules 1.3, 1.15(I)(c), and 1.15(II)(b).

Regarding SDBD No. 8026, Lane admits that, in October 2023,

her IOLTA account was overdrawn by $65,488.95 after she withdrew

funds for her personal and business use. She later replaced the

improperly withdrawn money by depositing personal funds into her

IOLTA account. Additionally, while her IOLTA account was

overdrawn, she deposited several settlement checks into her firm’s

operating account instead of her IOLTA account. Based on this

conduct, Lane admits that she violated Rules 1.15(I)(a),(c), 1.15(II)(a)–

(b), and 1.15(III)(a).

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Having reviewed the record, we accept Lane’s petition for

voluntary surrender of her license. See In the Matter of Sims, 313 Ga.

117 (2022) (accepting voluntary surrender of license where attorney

committed multiple trust account violations); In the Matter of Dabney-

Froe, 302 Ga. 746 (2017) (same where, among other things, attorney

failed to promptly disburse client settlement funds and/or pay medical

bills in clients’ cases); In the Matter of Morrison, 321 Ga. 526 (2025)

(same where, among other things, attorney admitted violating Rules

1.15(I)(a) and 1.15(II)(b) by failing to keep client settlement funds

separate from attorney’s own funds and by withdrawing settlement

funds for his personal use); In the Matter of Snipes, 303 Ga. 800 (2018)

(disbarring attorney who violated Rules 1.3 and 1.15(I) by failing to

pay client’s outstanding medical bills from settlement funds as

promised).

Accordingly, we order that Lane be removed from the rolls of

persons authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia. Lane is

reminded of her duties pursuant to Bar Rule 4-129(b).

Voluntary surrender of license accepted. All the Justices concur.

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