Recent Decisions From the Louisiana Supreme Court

IN RE BRUCE C. ASHLEY (New Orleans), 2018-B-0408, (5/25/18):  The Court suspended the respondent for eighteen months, fully deferred subject to certain conditions, for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations.

Deemed Admitted Matters (Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 11(E)(3)):

IN RE EDWARD BISSAU MENDY (Nutley, NJ), 2018-B-0384, (5/25/18): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting his client’s patent matter, failing to communicate with him, failing to refund any portion of the unearned fee he was paid, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE ROBERT O’NEAL CHADWICK, JR. (Alexandria), 2018-B-0691, (6/15/18): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but six months deferred, based upon his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.

IN RE MARCUS PAUL LaCOMBE (Iowa), 2018-B-0716, (6/15/18): The Court suspended the respondent for two years, retroactive to the date of his interim suspension (7/6/2017), based upon his no contest plea to a felony charge of domestic abuse aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse battery.

IN RE TIMOTHY JOHN HENRY, JR. (New Orleans), 2018-B-0875, (6/15/18): The Court suspended the respondent for one year, fully deferred, based upon his guilty plea to first offense DWI.

IN RE DIANNE J. MARSHALL (New Orleans), 2018-B-0918, (6/15/18): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent for negligently violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16(d), and 8.4(a).

IN RE MICHAEL L. THIEL (Hammond), 2018-B-0367, (6/25/18): The Court disbarred the respondent, retroactive to the date of his interim suspension (2/9/2017), based upon his guilty plea to tax evasion.

Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:

IN RE ROBERT A. LENTER (New Orleans), 2018-OB-0841, (6/15/18).

Reinstatement/Readmission Matters:

IN RE MICHAEL J. RILEY, SR. (New Orleans), 2018-OB-0237, (5/25/18): The Court readmitted the petitioner to the practice of law. He was previously disbarred. Louisiana State Bar Ass’n v. Riley, 555 So. 2d 984 (La. 1990).

Probation Revoked:

IN RE ARTHUR L. HARRIS, SR. (Metairie), 2018-B-0847, (6/15/18): The Court revoked the probation of the respondent for failing to comply with the terms of his probation and for engaging in additional misconduct. The respondent had been previously suspended for one year and one day, fully deferred, subject to a two-year period of probation. In re Harris, 13-2368 (La. 12/6/13), 129 So. 3d 526.