Recent Decisions From the Louisiana Supreme Court

IN RE MCCOOL, 2015-B-0284, rehearing denied (8/29/15)
The Court disbarred the respondent for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.  By means of social media and the internet, the respondent encouraged and induced others to engage in improper ex parte communications with judges and disseminated false and misleading information regarding pending legal matters.

IN RE FRADELLA, 2015-B-0981, (8/28/15)
The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting his client’s legal matter, failing to place an advance payment of fees into his client trust account, failing to return unearned fees, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.

IN RE WEBER, 2015-B-0982, (8/28/15)
The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, converting client funds, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.

IN RE HOLLIS, 2015-B-0876, (8/28/15)
The Court adjudged the respondent guilty of additional misconduct to be considered when and if he seeks readmission to the practice of law.  The respondent was previously disbarred.  The additional misconduct consisted of failing to return a client’s file, engaging in criminal conduct, neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations.

IN RE PRYOR, 2015-B-0243, (9/1/15)
The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day for offering money to a witness in a criminal matter in exchange for dropping the criminal charges.

IN RE HYMEL, 2015-B-1069, (9/11/15)
The Court suspended the respondent for eighteen months for neglecting a legal matter, failing to adequately communicate with a client, making misleading statements to clients, failing to refund an unearned fee, failing to return a client’s file upon request, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in two investigations.

Trust Account Disclosure Ineligibility – Reinstatement Process

Attorneys who have been certified ineligible to practice law for failing to file their annual trust account overdraft disclosure form* can be reinstated by completing the trust account disclosure form and paying the delinquency penalty ($25) and reinstatement fee ($25).  See Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §8(F).  Reinstatement to eligible status will be effective the date the form is completed and payment is received by the Board’s office.  The process can be completed online -  ladb.org/trustaccount - or by contacting the Board’s office at 504-834-1488 or 800-489-8411. 

*Attorneys who have been certified ineligible to practice law for failure to pay their annual bar dues and disciplinary assessment should contact the Louisiana State Bar Association at 504-566-1600 or 800-421-5722.