LADB Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

OFFICE OPERATIONS:  The Board office in Metairie and the ODC office in Baton Rouge are closed to the public; however, staff members are working remotely. If you require assistance, please call and leave a message.  Your message will be directed to the proper person who will respond to your inquiry.

PENDING LITIGATION:  Following the issuance of correspondence and various orders of the Louisiana Supreme Court, as well as proclamations issued by the Governor of Louisiana, the LADB has issued two orders continuing pre-hearing conferences, hearings and Board arguments scheduled through April 30, 2020, and temporarily suspending deadlines for LADB proceedings.  See orders. See also, news releases and orders issued by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

CLE:  The first scheduled date for the 2020 LADB Free CLE Program in Shreveport/Bossier has been postponed until October 15, 2020.  The date and location for the Kenner program is TBA.  Please visit the LADB’s website for updates regarding the series.  On-line, on-demand, programming is currently available on the LADB’s website.

Recent Rules and Decisions

IN RE J. RENEE MARTIN (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-0119 (3/16/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, settling a personal injury claim without a client’s consent, failing to remit funds belonging to a client, failing to return client files upon termination of the representation, being held in contempt of court for failing to appear for scheduled hearings, practicing law after being interimly suspended, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).

IN RE ROY JOSEPH RICHARD, JR. (Sunset), 2019-B-1747 (3/16/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, practicing law while ineligible to do so, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).

IN RE HILLIARD CHARLES FAZANDE III (New Orleans), 2019-B-1918 (2/26/20): The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees and unused costs, practicing law while ineligible to do so, pleading guilty to federal bank theft charges, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. Part of the factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).

IN RE MATTHEW B. COLLINS, JR. (New Orleans), 2019-B-1746 (2/26/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, and failing to protect the client’s interests upon the termination of the representation. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).

IN RE ALPHONSE M. THOMPSON, JR. (New Orleans), 2019-B-1783 (3/9/20): The Court suspended the respondent for three years, with all but six months deferred, for neglecting a client’s legal matter then misleading the client about the status of the matter.

IN RE CONNIE P. TRIEU (Gretna), 2019-B-1680 (3/9/20): The Court suspended the respondent for six months, fully deferred, for failing to promptly remit funds to clients and third parties and allowing a modest amount of her attorney’s fees to remain in her trust account.

IN RE IKE SPEARS (New Orleans), 2019-B-1895 (3/9/20): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent based upon an inappropriate and unprofessional verbal exchange with opposing counsel during an appearance before a judge in open court.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE ERIC A. BOPP (Mandeville), 2020-B-0070 (2/26/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but ninety days deferred, based upon two arrests for driving while intoxicated.

IN RE TEDRICK K. KNIGHTSHEAD (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-0114 (3/9/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, based upon allegations that the respondent had inappropriate interactions with a college student intern who worked at his office.

IN RE RAYMOND FRITZ NISWANGER (West Monroe), 2020-B-0186 (3/9/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, based upon his arrest for driving while intoxicated.

IN RE WILLIAM F. JANNEY (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-0242 (3/16/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, based upon his arrest for driving while intoxicated.