ROADMAP TO THE COURTHOUSE

The LADB introduces a new feature to Nota Bene called Roadmap to the Courthouse.  In an effort to help newly-admitted lawyers gain useful and sometimes unique insight about local practice in different parishes, the ELLI program will periodically visit courthouses across the state and speak with local judges, clerks of court and recently-admitted lawyers to gather helpful information and guidance.   We extend our sincere thanks to the individuals who have agreed to take part in this program, all of whom have been generous with their time and expressed a sincere desire to help new lawyers in Louisiana successfully enter the practice of law.

ELLI’s first stop is the 22nd Judicial District Court.  With the assistance of former LADB Hearing Committee member and judge-elect Patrice W. Oppenheim, we visit this month with Chief Judge Dawn Amacker and Washington Parish Clerk of Court Johnny D. Crain, Jr. 

Chief Judge Dawn Amacker • Overview (2:10) • Extended Interview (13:10)	Clerk of Court Johnny D. Crain, Jr. • Overview (2:35) • Extended Interview (6:42)

Next month, we will visit with St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court Melissa R. Henry and R. Gary Higgins, Jr., a young lawyer who practices in Covington, Louisiana.

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Recent Rules and Decisions

IN RE JOHN EDWARD WHALEN, JR. (River Ridge), 2020-B-00869 (9/29/20): The Court disbarred the respondent for failing to provide an accounting to his client of his legal fee, neglecting the client’s matter, failing to communicate with the client, and failing to place an advance deposit in his trust account. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).

IN RE CANDACE POUSSON HOWAY (Lake Charles), 2020-B-00117 (10/6/20): The Court suspended the respondent for two years for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, failing to refund an unearned fee, practicing law while ineligible to do so, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).

IN RE SHANE E. ROMERO (New Iberia), 2020-B-00387 (10/20/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year for failing to disclose required information on a campaign finance report, which resulted in his guilty plea to a misdemeanor violation of state campaign finance laws.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE LEONARD K. FISHER III (Metairie), 2020-B-01091 (10/12/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but thirty days deferred, for mismanaging his client trust account.

IN RE SANDA B. GROOME (New Orleans), 2020-B-00737 (9/29/20): 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 JULIA LEE DEAL (Covington), 2020-B-01066 (10/14/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, for neglecting a legal matter and misrepresenting the status of the matter to her client.

IN RE SHANE M. MOUTON (Rayne), 2020-B-01096 (10/20/20): The Court suspended the respondent for six months, fully deferred, for engaging in a conflict of interest by representing both a private client and the State of Louisiana in a child support collection matter.

IN RE SAMUEL CHRISTOPHER D’AQUILLA (Jackson), 2020-B-0942 (9/29/20): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent for engaging in conduct that constituted a conflict of interest.

Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:

IN RE WILLIE R. JOSEPH, JR. (Baton Rouge), 2020-OB-01030 (9/23/20).

Conditional Admission Revoked:

IN RE JAMAR B. MYERS-MONTGOMERY (Shreveport), 2018-BA-01806 (9/29/20).