The promise an attorney makes to their client is one of diligence, competence, and, above all, honesty. When that promise is broken, particularly through theft and deliberate deceit, the legal system must respond with its strongest sanction. The disciplinary case of Georgia attorney Melvin Raines II is a stark illustration, culminating in his disbarment by the Supreme Court of Georgia for a shocking pattern of financial and professional misconduct.
The Financial Crime: Stealing from the Client’s Mother
The most egregious finding against Raines centered on his mishandling of a client’s money. In a case involving a criminal matter, Raines instructed the client’s mother to provide him with a $5,000 cashier’s check, falsely claiming the money was needed for a fine related to a plea deal.
- Conversion of Funds: Raines deposited the $5,000 into his IOLTA account (the attorney trust account meant to safeguard client money) and then immediately began withdrawing it for personal expenses. Within weeks, the account balance plummeted to less than $8.
- Lying and Concealment: When the plea deal was finalized and did not include a fine, the mother repeatedly asked for her money back. Raines lied to her, claiming the superior court clerk had the funds—a claim the clerk denied. He only returned the money months later after the client’s mother filed a grievance with the State Bar.
This intentional misuse of client funds, known as conversion, is one of the most severe ethical violations a lawyer can commit.
The Professional Crime: Neglecting Clients and Disregarding the Court
Raines’s misconduct wasn’t limited to financial dishonesty. Across three separate client matters, he demonstrated a profound disregard for his professional duties:
- Client Abandonment: In multiple cases, he failed to communicate with his clients, failed to file necessary documents, and failed to prepare for trial. One client, abandoned and desperate, was forced to file a pro se motion (a motion filed without a lawyer) asking the court to remove Raines from his case.
- Contempt and Chaos: Raines displayed a persistent pattern of repeatedly failing to appear for scheduled court hearings and providing inadequate notice. This led to him being found in contempt of court on multiple occasions. Eventually, the judges of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit had to take the extreme measure of ordering his removal from all pending cases in their circuit to prevent further disruption to the administration of justice.
The Final Verdict: Disbarment
Facing overwhelming evidence of his misconduct, Raines failed to file a timely answer to the formal complaints. This failure resulted in a default judgment, meaning all the damning allegations were legally deemed admitted as fact.
The Special Master and the State Disciplinary Review Board agreed that disbarment was the only appropriate sanction. The Supreme Court of Georgia concurred, finding that the combination of misappropriating client funds, lying, and a chronic failure of diligence warranted the permanent revocation of his license.
Conclusion
The disbarment of Melvin Raines II, effective September 16, 2025, sends a clear and non-negotiable message: the privilege of practicing law comes with a mandatory duty of integrity. The legal system cannot function if attorneys are allowed to steal from their clients or deliberately sabotage the judicial process through neglect. This outcome ensures that the public is protected and reinforces the ethical backbone of the Georgia Bar.