Current Newsletter
Recent developments in Louisiana legal ethics, professional responsibility, lawyer discipline, and related topics.
Facebook “Freindship” with Lawyer Does Not Disqualify Judge
On August 23, 2017, a Florida appellate court ruled that a district judge may preside over a civil action even though she is Facebook friends with a lawyer appearing before …
September 2017 Discipline
These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of September 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …
Lawyer’s Debt to Client Protection Fund Not Dischargeable in Bankruptcy
A debt owed by a lawyer to a bar association client protection fund is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. See Virginia ex rel. Va. State Bar v. Young (In re Young), No. …
Lawyer Disbarred for Killing “Snoopy”
New York City lawyer Anthony A. Pastor was disbarred for violently killing his girlfriend’s poodle “Snoopy.” See Matter of Pastor, 2017 NY Slip Op 06729, (App. Div. 1st Dept. Sep. 28, 2017). The …
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Louisiana Case on Authority of Lawyer to Concede Client’s Guilt in Death Penalty Case
On September 28, 2017, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in McCoy v. Louisiana, No. 16-8255 to decide whether it is ineffective assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment …
Lawyer Creates False Match.com Profile to Harass Opposing Counsel
Illinois Lawyer Drew R. Quitschau created a false Match.com profile—and numerous other fake Internet accounts—in the name of his opposing counsel in a bizarre effort to stalk and harrass her. …
Can a Lawyer Enter Into an Agreement Restricting a Person’s Ability to Report the Lawyer to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel?
No. A recent Illinois disciplinary decision addressed whether it was appropriate for a lawyer to include a “non-disclosure provision” in her engagement agreement. In that provision, the lawyer’s client agreed to …
Can I Scan My Closed Files and Shred the Paper?
Yes you can. A recent advisory opinion from Nebraska addressed this issue, and concluded that “given the impact of technology on how files can be retained, it is not reasonable …
August 2017 Discipline
These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of August 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …