ROADMAP TO THE COURTHOUSE - 22nd JDC
In an effort to help newly-admitted lawyers gain useful and sometimes unique insight about local practice in different parishes, the ELLI program periodically visits courthouses across the state and speaks with local judges, clerks of court and recently-admitted lawyers to gather helpful information and guidance.
This month, with the assistance of former LADB Hearing Committee member and judge-elect Patrice W. Oppenheim, we visit with St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court Melissa R. Henry and R. Gary Higgins, Jr., a young lawyer who practices in Covington, Louisiana.
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.
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Recent Rules and Decisions
IN RE MICHAEL BRIAN RENNIX (Shreveport), 2020-B-00922 (11/4/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to refund unearned fees, converting client funds (over $31,000), practicing law while ineligible to do so, engaging in dishonest conduct, 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 SALLY HARRISON LONGMIRE HINGEL (New Orleans), 2020-B-00992 (11/10/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent based upon her guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and her failure to cooperate with 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 NICHOLAS ANTHONY BELLARD (Church Point), 2020-B-00761 (11/4/20): The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, converting client funds (over $4,000), overdrawing his trust account, failing to maintain records of his trust account, failing to properly withdraw from representations, 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 ROBERT WESLEY MALONE (Alexandria), 2020-B-00762 (11/4/20): The Court suspended the respondent for two years for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to return client files upon request, failing to provide accountings and refunds of unearned fees upon request, 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 RUDY W. GORRELL, JR. (New Orleans), 2020-B-00993 (11/10/20): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent for making statements to a witness that were meant to delay, burden, and intimidate her.
Consent Discipline:
IN RE CHARLIE KRAEMER DIEL (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-1138 (11/18/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day based upon his arrest for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, reckless operation of a vehicle, operating a vehicle with improper headlamps, and improper lane usage.
IN RE ASHLEY JOHNSON GREENHOUSE (Baton Rouge), 2020-B-01115 (11/10/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but six months deferred, for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, inappropriately attempting to settle a malpractice claim with a client, and failing to return a client’s file upon request.
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