In the Matter of W. McCall Calhoun, Jr

Summary

The Court suspended Calhoun from practicing law pending the final disposition of his federal criminal appeal because a judge's finding of guilt after a bench trial qualifies as a verdict and therefore constitutes a conviction under the disciplinary Rules. The Court held that the felony conviction was sufficient for interim suspension, regardless of how comparable conduct would be classified under Georgia law, and that a good-faith belief in the legality or righteousness of the conduct did not avoid discipline. The suspension also did not violate due process because it was rationally related to the legitimate state interest of promoting public confidence in the judicial system.