Recent Decisions From the Louisiana Supreme Court
IN RE KENNETH TODD WALLACE (New Orleans), 2017-B-0525, (9/22/17): The Court suspended the respondent for thirty months, with all but twelve months deferred, retroactive to January 8, 2016, for recording false and inflated billable hours.
IN RE TRISHA ANN WARD (New Orleans), 2017-B-1047, (9/29/17): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, retroactive to December 1, 2016, based upon criminal conduct.
IN RE ROBERT B. PURSER (Opelousas), 2017-B-1170, (10/9/17): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, converting client funds to his own use, allowing his client trust account to become overdrawn, practicing law after being placed on interim suspension, and failing to refund unearned fees.
IN RE JOSEPH M. BRUNO (New Orleans), 2017-B-1012, (10/9/17): The Court suspended the respondent for ninety days, with all but thirty days deferred, for neglecting a client matter and failing to communicate with that client.
IN RE MARK G. SIMMONS (Baton Rouge), 2017-B-1043, (10/16/17): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but sixty days deferred, for mismanaging his client trust account, neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in two investigations.
IN RE ADAM ANTHONY ABDALLA (Lafayette), 2017-B-0453, (10/18/17): The Court disbarred the respondent, retroactive to October 22, 2014, for converting at least $39,085.86 from his law firm.
IN RE C. MIGNONNE GRIFFING (Shreveport), 2017-B-0874, (10/18/17): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but six months deferred, for engaging in a conflict of interest and violating her duties as a prosecutor.
Deemed Admitted Matters (Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 11(E)(3)):
IN RE JANINNE LATRELL GILBERT (Delcambre), 2017-B-0524, (9/22/17): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, failing to account for or refund an unearned fee, failing to properly withdraw from a representation, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, engaging in dishonest conduct, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.
IN RE PETER BRIAN DEROUEN (Lafayette), 2017-B-1289, (10/16/17): The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting a client’s settlement, converting client and third-party funds related to that settlement, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.
IN RE MICHAEL LOUIS MARTIN (New Orleans), 2017-B-1288, (10/16/17): The Court suspended the respondent for two years for mishandling his client trust account which resulted in the commingling and conversion of client funds.
Consent Discipline:
IN RE RICHARD E. SMITH (Lafayette), 2017-B-1537, (10/16/17): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but sixty days deferred, for mishandling his client trust account and practicing law while ineligible to do so.
Formal Charges Dismissed:
IN RE RONALD SEASTRUNK (Leesville), 2017-B-0178, (10/18/17): The Court dismissed the formal charges filed against the respondent, which alleged a violation of Rule 3.8(d) (special responsibilities of a prosecutor). The Court held that ODC did not meet the clear and convincing burden. The Court further held that the obligations found in Rule of Professional Conduct 3.8(d) are coextensive with the duties outlined in Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963).
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