Recent Rules and Decisions
IN RE KIRBY DALE KELLY (Shreveport), 2020-B-00118 (6/3/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for converting client and third-party funds, failing to supervise subordinate attorneys and non-lawyer staff, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).
IN RE DARRELL K. HICKMAN (Alexandria), 2020-B-00292 (6/3/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but three months deferred, for neglecting two legal matters, failing to communicate with two clients, and misrepresenting the status of a case to one client.
IN RE RAYMOND CHARLES BURKART III (Covington), 2020-B-00243 (6/12/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, being arrested for stalking and harassment before pleading guilty to telephone communication harassment, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).
Consent Discipline:
IN RE TARA F. GILDER (Carencro), 2020-B-00411 (5/26/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but six months deferred, for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, and failing to refund unearned fees.
IN RE MAYNARD KEITH BATISTE, SR. (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-00452 (5/26/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, for mismanaging his client trust account and improperly entering into oral contingency fee agreements with his clients.
IN RE BRIAN LEE McCULLOUGH (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-00461 (5/26/20): The Court suspended the respondent for eighteen months, with all but one year deferred, based upon his guilty plea to second offense DWI.
IN RE ELLA D. KLIEBERT (Houma), 2020-B-00514 (6/12/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, based upon her arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.
IN RE BRIAN A. DRAGON (Slidell), 2020-B-00519 (6/12/20): The Court suspended the respondent for three years, retroactive to the date of his interim suspension (10/8/18), for violating Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 1.16, 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:
IN RE HAROLD LOUIS LEE (Alexandria), 2020-OB-00472 (6/3/20).
Reinstatement/Readmission Matters:
IN RE LUCRETIA PATRICE PECANTTE (New Iberia), 2020-OB-00454 (5/26/20): The Court conditionally reinstated the petitioner to the practice of law after a two-year suspension.
IN RE MARK L. JAMES II (Franklinton), 2020-OB-00460 (5/26/20): The Court conditionally reinstated the petitioner to the practice of law after two periods of suspension.
IN RE FELIX ANTHONY DEJEAN IV (Baton Rouge), 2020-OB-00457 (5/26/20): The Court reinstated the petitioner to the practice of law after a one-year and one-day suspension.
Rehearing:
IN RE CONNIE P. TRIEU (Gretna), 2020-OB-01680 (6/12/20): Rehearing denied.
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