Rumors have it that George Anderson, famed Rome used bookseller and state of Georgia record-holder of ethics complaint filings, is the subject of a complaint filed with the Georgia Bar Association.

The complaint, filed by attorney Robert Proctor, alleges that Anderson has been practicing law without a license. Anderson stated in an AJC interview recently that he has turned his "passion" for filing frivolous and inconsequential ethics complaints into a business whereby he contracts with silent parties who wish him to file complaints on behalf of them. He also offers such "services" for hire as contacting the media for case exposure.

PV Offers Up Some Meaty OCGA Law: The OCGA cite that defines who can be a licensed attorney at-law is 15-19-51, and it reads as follows:

"It shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly licensed attorney at law:

(1) To practice or appear as an attorney at law for any person other than himself in any court of this state or before any judicial body;

(2) To make it a business to practice as an attorney at law for any person other than himself in any of such courts;

(3) To hold himself out to the public or otherwise to any person as being entitled to practice law;

(4) To render or furnish legal services or advice;

(5) To furnish attorneys or counsel;

(6) To render legal services of any kind in actions or proceedings of any nature;

(7) To assume or use or advertise the title of 'lawyer,' 'attorney,' 'attorney at law,'or equivalent terms in any language in such manner as to convey the impression that he is entitled to practice law or is entitled to furnish legal advice, services, or counsel; or

(8) To advertise that either alone or together with, by, or through any person, whether a duly and regularly admitted attorney at law or not, he has, owns, conducts, or maintains an office for the practice of law or for furnishing legal advice, services, or counsel."

PV's Discussion: When Anderson files a complaint, he is usually parked in the hearing on the day of the Ethics Commission meeting. And, he is usually the one who orally presents his allegations.

In fact, since the hearings have been held in the Douglas County Courthouse (since January 1999), these proceedings have been videotaped. So, if the Georgia Bar needs any hands-on evidence to review, call Jeff Ledford at the Commission and he'll be able to retrieve copies of Anderson's barrister imitations.

But, on a more interesting little note, the complaints that Anderson has been filing have all fallen under the jurisdiction of the Ethics in Government Act, and, as such, are heard by the Ethics Commission, a band of 5 appointees.

This complaint to the Bar Association will likely be heard in a real court of law since OCGA 15-19-51 doesn't fall into the confines of the Ethics Act.

Now, what this really means is that Anderson may find himself on the witness stand being drilled on who his clients are that he's been charging $75 per hour to offer his "expert" advice on the vagaries of ethics law. Since Anderson is no lawyer himself, such "confidentiality agreements" between Anderson and his clients are open to a court of law.

Sooooo...wonder who he has worked for? Bobby Kahn? The Democratic Party of Georgia? Roy Barnes? The Georgia Reporter? Hmmmmmm...mmmmmm.....mmmmmmmm...sure hope THOSE proceedings are videotaped.