Hats Off to Hearing Committee Members!

Pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, the adjudicative functions of the attorney discipline and disability system are performed by practicing lawyers and public members. Hearing Committee members who serve as adjudicators volunteer their time and expertise to serve the legal profession and the public. These volunteers are the foundation of the discipline system.  As we near the end of 2021, the Board would like to recognize and offer its sincere thanks to those Hearing Committee members whose appointments will be coming to an end: 

Linda Fuselier Alesi (Public Member, Lafayette), Louis Graham Arceneaux (Lawyer, New Orleans), Christopher Burns Bailey (Lawyer, Lafayette), Harry Gelpi Barkerding (Public Member, Metairie), Patricia Anne Caperino (Public Member, River Ridge), Jill B. Davis (Public Member, Baton Rouge), Anthony P. Dunbar (Lawyer, New Orleans), Mark Stephen Dupuis (Lawyer, Metairie), Charles S. McGowan, Jr. (Lawyer, Baton Rouge), Robert Reed Mendelson, Jr. (Public Member, Lake Charles), James R. Mobley  (Public Member, Baton Rouge), Chad Michael Rachal  (Public Member, Marrero), Beau Paul Sagona (Lawyer, Metairie), and Daniel Edmond Sullivan (Public Member, New Orleans).

Recent Rules and Decisions

IN RE ARTHUR L. HARRIS, SR. (Metairie), 2021-B-1301 (11/17/2021): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for failing to timely update his addresses with the LSBA, neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with a client, failing to account for or refund unearned fees, failing to provide his clients with their files upon request, failing to comply with court orders and subpoenas, practicing law after being suspended, engaging in dishonest conduct, engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in several investigations. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).

IN RE KEVIN MATTHEW DANTZLER (Alexandria), 2021-B-1235 (11/3/2021): The Court disbarred the respondent for neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, failing to return client files upon request, failing to refund unearned fees, allowing his client trust account to become overdrawn on numerous occasions, converting client funds, practicing law while ineligible to do so, practicing law after being placed on interim suspension, illegally selling pain pills to another person, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in numerous investigations. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).

IN RE JEANANNE ROY SELF (Shreveport), 2021-B-0518 (11/10/2021): The Court suspended the respondent for thirty days for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and being arrested for possession of marijuana.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE TODD MICHAEL TYSON (Baton Rouge), 2021-B-0990 (11/10/2021): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but sixty days deferred, for neglecting a legal matter, failing to communicate with a client, failing to return the client’s file upon request, and failing to refund an unearned fee.

IN RE MAYA GUNTZ FLOWERS (Baton Rouge), 2021-B-1331 (11/3/2021): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, fully deferred, for mismanaging her client trust account.

IN RE LAURA LORAINE DAVENPORT (Lafayette) 2021-B-1371 (11/3/2021): The Court publicly reprimanded the respondent for employing a disbarred lawyer as a paralegal.

Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:

IN RE GEORGE A. FLOURNOY (Alexandria), 2021-OB-1420 (11/10/2021).