Five tips for newly admitted lawyers about practicing family law from Disciplinary Board member Wendy Giovingo:

1. Know the preferences of the judges before whom you practice regarding custody, so that you may advise your clients accordingly.
2. Find a mentor and ask questions, discuss issues, and tag along with the mentor to watch motion hearings, trials, and depositions.
3. Be honest and professional at all times. Keep your client’s interest in the forefront without getting emotionally involved.
4. Choose your clients wisely. Always ask new clients what the other side is going to claim about them.You may find that the truth generally falls somewhere between your client’s version and the other side’s version.
5. Find an individual qualified to assist you in setting up your accounting system, including checks and balances, and be vigilant about monitoring your accounts.

Recent Rules and Decisions

IN RE CAROL E. PARKER (Ponchatoula), 2019-B-1007 (10/15/19): The Court suspended the respondent for six months, with all but thirty days deferred, for filing frivolous and dilatory motions to recuse two judges and misusing the legal process in order to delay proceedings.

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

IN RE HAROLD D. REGISTER, JR. (Lafayette), 2019-B-1389 (10/21/19): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting his clients’ legal matters, failing to communicate with his clients, converting client funds, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.

IN RE MICHAEL SEAN REID (Lafayette), 2019-B-1317 (10/21/19): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for abandoning his law practice, neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE KEELUS RENARDO MILES (Baton Rouge), 2019-B-1279 (10/21/19): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent for violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.5(f)(5), 1.16(d), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c).

IN RE SUZAN E. JACKSON (New Orleans), 2019-B-1340 (10/8/19): The Court suspended the respondent from the practice of law for one year and one day, with all but thirty days deferred, for mismanaging her client trust account.

IN RE EVELYN S. ADAMS (Grove Hill, AL), 2019-B-1267 (10/1/19): The Court suspended the respondent for eighteen months, with all but six months deferred, based upon her failure to refund an unearned fee and her arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.

IN RE THOMAS E. LOEHN (Metairie), 2019-B-1278 (10/1/19): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, for mismanaging his law firm’s client trust account.

Reciprocal Discipline:

IN RE SABINUS A. MEGWA (Phoenix, AZ), 2019-B-1205 (10/15/19): The Court suspended the respondent for six months and one day based upon an order of the Supreme Court of Arizona.

Reinstatement/Readmission Matters:

IN RE WILLIAM FRANCIS HENDERSON (Alexandria), 2019-OB-1386 (10/21/19): Readmission denied.

IN RE DARRYL BRENT JOHNSON, JR. (Nixa, MO), 2019-OB-1327 (10/21/19): The Court reinstated the respondent to the practice of law in Louisiana based upon an order of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Probation Revoked:

IN RE CHRISTA HAYES FORRESTER (Guaynabo, PR), 2019-B-1326 (10/15/19): The Court made executory the previously-deferred six-month suspension.