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Georgia Supreme Court disbars Decatur attorney after felony plea in DeKalb case
William T. Payne pleaded no contest to a felony racketeering charge tied to the alleged use of stolen DeKalb police accident information to solicit clients. He was sentenced to probation, community service and $85,000 in restitution before the state’s high court disbarred him.
The Georgia Supreme Court has disbarred Decatur attorney William T. Payne, whose felony case involved allegations that he used accident information taken from DeKalb County police records to solicit personal-injury clients.
Payne, who practiced personal injury and criminal defense law, pleaded no contest in September 2025 to a felony charge of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, court records show. The court’s disbarment order followed Wednesday.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Parker-Smith sentenced Payne to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $85,000 in restitution. Payne faced a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. He did not respond to questions about the prosecution and disbarment.
The case adds to scrutiny of “case running,” a practice in which lawyers or intermediaries allegedly use accident information to approach potential clients. The Georgia Supreme Court is separately considering the broader issue of attorney involvement in improper client solicitation.
The disbarment removes Payne’s authority to practice law in Georgia. The underlying case centered on the alleged misuse of information about traffic accidents reported to DeKalb County police to find and solicit people who might pursue injury claims.