Full Opinion

Serial: 263793 . IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI No. 2026-BD-00754-SCT THE MISSISSIPPI BAR fe _ E D Petitioner y JUL 29 2026 OFFICE OF THE C JODY E. OWENS II SUPREME cous Respondent COURT OF APPEALS ORDER OF DISBARMENT This matter is before the Court, en banc, on the Mississippi Bar’s Motion to Accept Irrevocable Resignation of Jody E. Owens II. In its Motion, the Mississippi Bar requests that this Court accept the irrevocable resignation of Jody E. Owens II and enter an order of disbarment. All procedural prerequisites have been met, thus we order the disbarment of Jody E. Owens. On July 16, 2026, Jody E. Owens II executed a Notice of Irrevocable Resignation pursuant to Rule 1 1(a) and Procedure 11.1 of the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar. In the notice, Owens acknowledged one disciplinary matter pending against him before this Court, Docket No. 2026-BD-00754, in which the Mississippi Bar requested his suspension after Owens pled guilty to a felony in federal court. Owens averred that this disciplinary matter was the only disciplinary matter pending against him. Further, Owens stated that he did not desire to defend this matter and requested permission to irrevocably - resign with prejudice from the Mississippi Bar. The Bar filed the instant Motion on the same day, requesting that this Court accept Owens’s irrevocable resignation. Rule | of the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar provides that this Court “has exclusive and inherent jurisdiction of matters and proceedings pertaining to attorney discipline[.]” M.R.D. I(a); Miss. Bar v. Jones, 118 So. 3d 542, 542 (Miss. 2012), We apply de novo review to attorney discipline matters. Id. Pursuant to Procedure 11.1; [a]n attorney may tender an irrevocable resignation to either the Court or the Complaint Tribunal. Such a resignation shall acknowledge each and all disciplinary matters then pending, provide the docket number or numbers, state that the attorney does not desire to defend, and request permission to resign with prejudice from the Bar. Upon receipt of such a resignation, and any response that the Bar may elect to file, the disciplinary proceedings shall terminate and either the Court or the Complaint Tribunal shall enter its order accepting the resignation, revoking the attorney’s license, and barring forever thereafter the attorney’s right to seek reinstatement to the privilege of practicing law in this State. Such a resignation and order shall be considered disciplinary action and the resignation shall be considered tantamount to the proof of guilt on the matters charged. M.R.D. Procedure 11.1. After due consideration, we find that Jody E. Owens II properly filed his Notice of Irrevocable Resignation in compliance with Mississippi Rule of Discipline 11.1, and that the Mississippi Bar is entitled to the relief it seeks. Based on the record before us, and consistent with the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar and our caselaw, this Court finds that Jody E. Owens shall be disbarred permanently. IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED as follows: 1. The Court hereby accepts Jody E. Owens’s resignation with prejudice from the Mississippi Bar, and such resignation shall be tantamount to proof of guilt on the matter charged; 2. Jody E. Owens II is hereby immediately and permanently DISBARRED from the practice of law in the State of Mississippi; 3. This order shall constitute notice of permanent disbarment in this cause; 4. The Clerk of this Court shall forward an attested copy of this order to Jody E. Owens II and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Bar; 5. Jody E. Owens II shall, within thirty days following entry of this order, notify clients and affected courts of his disbarment, properly disburse all funds he may hold in trust, and comply with all other requirements applicable to disbarred attorneys pursuant to Mississippi Rule of Discipline 12; 6. Jody E. Owens II shall, within forty-five days following entry of this order, file an affidavit with this Court stating that all of his clients have been notified of his disbarment and his consequent inability to practice law in Mississippi, and that he has complied fully with all the requirements set forth in Mississippi Rule of Discipline 12, as well as the requirements of this order; 7. The Clerk of this Court shall immediately forward an attested copy of this order to the circuit court judges and chancellors in and for Hinds County, Mississippi, and the senior judge of each court shall enter this order upon the minutes of his or her respective court; 8. The Clerk of this Court likewise shall immediately forward an attested copy of this order to the Clerks of the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, the Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States; 9. All outstanding disciplinary proceedings against Jody E. Owens II, including Docket No. 2026-BD-00754, are hereby terminated; and 10. Costs of this proceeding are hereby assessed against Jody E. Owens II. SO ORDERED, this the 29th day of July, 202 LESYIE D. KING, PRESIDING JUSTICE