Current Newsletter
Recent developments in Louisiana legal ethics, professional responsibility, lawyer discipline, and related topics.
June 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 June 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …
A Lawyer May Pay “Reasonable Compensation” to a Fact Witness for Preparation Time
On May 22, 2017, the West Virginia Lawyer Disciplinary Board issued an advisory opinion as to “whether fact witnesses can be compensated for lost time spent testifying and/or preparing to …
Louisiana Supreme Court Sends the LSBA Back to the Drawing Board for a New Fixed-Fee Rule
On June 21, 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court rejected a Louisiana State Bar Association recommendation that the court amend Louisiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(f)(2) governing fixed fees. Under current Rule …
LSBA House of Delegates Defeates Resolution to Create (Sectarian) First Amendment Preservation Section
Thankfully, a controversial resolution to create a “First Amendment Preservation Section” of the Louisiana State Bar Association was defeated by the LSBA House of Delegates at its Sandestin meeting on …
Avvo Lawyer Referral Service Ruled to be Unethical
On June 21, 2017, the New Jersey Supreme Court joined Ohio, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania and said “no” to Avvo Advisor, a pay-for-service lawyer referral plan that is available in Louisiana. See …
Lawyer-Cop in Danziger Case Permanently Resigns from Practice of Law
Ken Bowen, a lawyer and former New Orleans Police Officer, permanently resigned from the practice of law effective June 5, 2017. See In re Kenneth R. Bowen, LASC No. 2017-OB-0712 (Jun. 5, …
May 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 May 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …
ABA Issues Opinion on Securing Electronic Communications
On May 22, 2017, the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued a new formal opinion on Securing Communication of Protected Client Information. See ABA Formal Op. 477R (May 22, …
Use of Fake Subpoenas by Louisiana District Attorneys is Apparently Not Uncommon
In April, Charles Maldonado at The Lens exposed the use of fake subpoenas by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. See Charles Maldonado, Orleans Parish Prosecutors are …