Trust Accounting Rule Change

Rule 1.15(f) was amended to impose a requirement upon lawyers to reconcile their trust accounts on at least a quarterly basis. Reconciliation records must be maintained as mandated by the rule.  This amendment became effective April 1st.

The LADB updated its 'Trust Accounting' CLE to reflect this important change. The hour-long program is available on-demand at www.ladb.org.

Watch the CLE promo.

Recent Decisions

IN RE ARMSTRONG, 2014-B-0283 (4/10/15)
The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, converting client funds, and failing to cooperate with ODC in its investigations.  The Court found the respondent’s conduct was knowing and intentional, and caused actual harm to several victims.

IN RE BERCIER, 2014-B-2352 (3/27/15)
The Court suspended the respondent for two years for providing false evidence and false statements to ODC during its investigation of a complaint, and for engaging in dishonest conduct in connection with a real estate transaction.

IN RE SOUTHALL, 2014-B-2441 (3/17/15)
The Court suspended the respondent for three years, retroactive to the date of her interim suspension, for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with a client, engaging in a conflict of interest with a former client, mishandling her trust account, and failing to cooperate with ODC in an investigation.  The respondent’s mishandling of her trust account resulted in the commingling and conversion of client funds.

IN RE GRAY, 2014-B-2085 (3/17/15)
The Court suspended the respondent for two years for neglecting four client matters, failing to communicate with those clients, failing to return a client’s files, failing to return unearned fees to two clients, and failing to cooperate with ODC in its investigations.  The Court found the respondent’s conduct was knowing and caused actual harm to his clients.

Amendment now Provides for MCLE Credit for Pro Bono Service

The Louisiana Supreme Court amended the Rules for Continuing Legal Education, specifically Rule XXX, Rule 3, Regulation 3.21, to grant MCLE credit for pro bono service, effective May 1st. 

Credit may also be earned through providing uncompensated pro bono legal representation to an indigent or near indigent client or clients. To be eligible for credit, the matter must have been assigned to the Member by a court, a bar association, or a legal services or pro bono organization that has as its primary purpose the furnishing of such pro bono legal services and that has filed a statement with the Louisiana Committee on MCLE. A Member providing such pro bono legal representation shall receive one (1) hour of CLE credit for each five (5) hours of pro bono representation, up to a maximum of three (3) hours of CLE credit for each calendar year. To receive credit, the Member shall submit MCLE Form 6 (“Application for CLE Credit for Pro Bono Services”).