Disabled Dad Asks the Board to Remove Him
State Bar of Georgia Deputy General Counsel William D. NeSmith III allegedly attacked a disabled complainant for citing his ADA rights. I am that complainant. On May 12, 2026, he wrote that my “invocation of the ADA process may be directed less toward obtaining accommodation or access assistance and more toward securing a particular substantive outcome”. On October 27, I asked the State Bar to remove him.
I am a disabled dad who likes dogs, donuts, and dad jokes.
Why was State Bar of Georgia Deputy General Counsel William D. NeSmith III asked to be removed?
On October 27, 2026, I asked the State Bar’s Board of Governors to remove William D. NeSmith III because of what he wrote to me about my ADA request on May 12, 2026.
What does the October 27 email allege about William D. NeSmith III?
My October 27 emails allege:
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It does not appear that Mr. NeSmith checked his own office’s file. Eight days before his May 12 email, on May 4, 2026, it had granted my request to communicate in writing.
“Written-only accommodation. All OGC communications with you regarding this matter will be in writing because of your disability-related communication limitations.”
John J. Shiptenko, ADA Coordinator, State Bar of Georgia, May 4, 2026. The State Bar of Georgia’s dated record “Based upon your communications, it does not appear that you require assistance in preparing written submissions or otherwise accessing the grievance or reconsideration process.”
William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, May 12, 2026. Read his May 12, 2026 email -
Allegedly, citing the ADA was the problem.
“From the substance of your correspondence, it appears that your invocation of the ADA process may be directed less toward obtaining accommodation or access assistance and more toward securing a particular substantive outcome regarding the underlying grievance matter.”
William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, May 12, 2026. Read his May 12, 2026 email -
It seems the State ADA Coordinator’s Office did not need to see his answer.
Who received my May 11 email and his May 12 reply? My May 11, 2026 ADA email 8 recipients, the State ADA Coordinator’s Office included His May 12, 2026 answer 1 recipient: me -
Allegedly, the State Bar of Georgia “is not a public entity”.
“The State Bar of Georgia is not a public entity, such as a federal, state or local government department or agency.”
William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, May 12, 2026. Read his May 12, 2026 email “As the administrative arm of the Georgia Supreme Court, Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.”
The State Bar defendants’ lawyers, federal court filing, Document 46, Mignott v. State Bar of Georgia Foundation, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-01834-ELR, May 12, 2026. Proof of the same day federal brief The federal filing advances an immunity argument; Mr. NeSmith’s email concerns Title II public entity status. They are different legal questions. I am asking the State Bar to explain both positions, not suggesting that a court has ruled the State Bar subject to Title II.
I asked the State Bar’s Board of Governors to remove him and General Counsel Russell D. Willard. That is my request, not a decision of the Board.
Email, “RE: Response to Correspondence to the State Bar of Georgia”, October 27, 2026, 5:21 PM ET
Typed reproduction
- What it is
- My reply to Russell D. Willard, General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, copied to the State Bar recipients of his October 21 email.
- Provenance
- Typed from the sent message. Names, contact details, a tracking number, medical details and every passage about the family are removed and marked in brackets. Nothing else is changed.
- What it shows
- That I called for his resignation and asked the Board of Governors to remove him and William D. NeSmith III, and what I wrote about each.
- What it does not show
- Any decision by the Board of Governors, or any answer from the State Bar.
Email, “Open ADA Issues, New Grievances and Title II Complaints, and ADA Request”, October 27, 2026, 5:21 PM ET
Typed reproduction
- What it is
- My email to John J. Shiptenko, ADA Coordinator, State Bar of Georgia, with three grievances and two Title II complaints.
- Provenance
- Typed from the sent message. Names, contact details and a tracking number are removed and marked in brackets.
- What it shows
- The State Bar of Georgia’s May 12, 2026 statements to me and to a federal court, side by side.
- What it does not show
- Any answer from the State Bar.
On May 15, 2026, Mr. NeSmith wrote that the State Bar of Georgia “disputes your factual assertions, characterizations, and legal conclusions”. Its own words are above, each with its date.
What did William D. NeSmith III tell a disabled complainant about the ADA?
On May 12, 2026, William D. NeSmith III wrote to me that the State Bar of Georgia “is not a public entity” and that “it does not appear that you require assistance in preparing written submissions”.
- Proof of William D. NeSmith III’s May 12, 2026 email
- Who William D. NeSmith III is
- The State Bar of Georgia record
At a glance
As of October 27, 2026.
| Recipients on my May 11, 2026 ADA email | 8 |
| Recipients on his May 12, 2026 answer | 1 |
| Days from his May 12 email to my October 27 request that the Board remove him | 168 |
Read the documents
I am not asking you to take my word for any of it. I am asking you to read theirs.
- Proof of William D. NeSmith III’s May 12, 2026 email
- Proof of the same day federal brief
- Russell D. Willard allegedly attacks disabled complainant for citing his ADA rights
- My October 27, 5:21 PM email to Russell D. Willard, typed from the sent message, with family and medical details removed
- My October 27, 5:21 PM email to John J. Shiptenko, typed from the sent message
Corrections
ADA Matters welcomes documented corrections. Write to info@adamatters.com with the correct fact and its source.