The South Carolina Supreme Court suspended attorney Georgia Anne Shobe from practicing law for six months following multiple disciplinary violations, according to an opinion filed Sept. 17, 2025.
Shobe, of Moncks Corner, entered into an Agreement for Discipline by Consent with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, admitting misconduct and consenting to the suspension. The court accepted the agreement and imposed the maximum six-month suspension permitted under the disciplinary framework.
The disciplinary action resolves seven complaints filed against Shobe between 2020 and 2022. Shobe was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 1984, marking more than 40 years in the legal profession before this disciplinary action.
The case details reveal a pattern of client service failures that prompted the disciplinary proceedings. In one matter designated as "Matter A," Shobe was hired by a client in June 2019 to prepare a separation agreement for $3,000. When the client's spouse refused to agree to the prepared separation agreement, Shobe advised the client that proceeding with divorce would require the couple to cease living in the same home due to lack of other applicable grounds for divorce.
The client informed Shobe in September 2019 of plans to move out-of-state and had the marital home appraised in early October 2019. The client moved out of the home on Oct. 18, 2019, and Shobe advised she would review the appraisal and contact the client, but failed to provide a specific timeframe for follow-up.
Communication problems became evident when the client attempted to reach Shobe in March 2020. On March 9, 2020, the client emailed Shobe at two email addresses the attorney had provided, indicating a desire to seek new counsel and requesting a copy of the case file. The client followed up again on March 31, 2020, but the court opinion indicates ongoing issues with the attorney-client relationship.
The Agreement for Discipline by Consent was entered pursuant to Rule 21 of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement, which is contained in Rule 413 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules. Under this framework, attorneys can agree to disciplinary sanctions rather than proceed through a contested hearing process.
The agreement allowed for sanctions ranging from a confidential admonition to a public reprimand to a definite suspension not exceeding six months. The court imposed the maximum suspension period, suggesting the misconduct was substantial enough to warrant the most serious sanction available under the consent agreement.
Disciplinary Counsel William M. Blitch Jr. and Assistant Disciplinary Counsel Phylicia Y. Coleman, both of Columbia, represented the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in the proceedings. Shobe represented herself pro se in the disciplinary matter.
The case was submitted to the court on Aug. 27, 2025, and the opinion was filed on Sept. 17, 2025, with Opinion No. 28300 and Appellate Case No. 2025-000617.
Attorney disciplinary actions in South Carolina are governed by the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement, which establish procedures for investigating and prosecuting attorney misconduct. The rules provide for various sanctions depending on the severity of the violations, ranging from private admonitions to disbarment.
The six-month definite suspension means Shobe cannot practice law in South Carolina during the suspension period. To resume practice after the suspension period ends, suspended attorneys typically must demonstrate compliance with continuing education requirements and other conditions the court may impose.
While the court opinion references seven disciplinary complaints filed between 2020 and 2022, the available portion of the opinion provides detailed information only about Matter A. The other matters that contributed to the disciplinary action were not detailed in the portion of the opinion available.
The case highlights the importance of attorney-client communication and timely response to client inquiries. Professional responsibility rules require attorneys to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and to respond promptly to reasonable requests for information.
Shobe's suspension serves as a reminder that attorney disciplinary authorities actively monitor compliance with professional standards and will take action when attorneys fail to meet their obligations to clients. The consent agreement process allows for resolution of disciplinary matters while ensuring appropriate sanctions are imposed to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
The suspension takes effect immediately, and Shobe must comply with all requirements for suspended attorneys, including notification to clients and proper handling of client files and trust account funds.