August 2023 Discipline

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These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board recommendations published during the month of August 2023.

Louisiana Supreme Court

  1. Timothy Thomas Yazbeck. The court granted a petition for interim suspension for threat of harm filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
  2. Henry Clay Ward, III. The court granted a petition for transfer to disability inactive status filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

LADB Hearing Committees

  1. Craig J. Fontenot. Hearing Committee #14 recommended that the court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent pleaded Nolo Contendre to a DWI charge and initially lied to law enforcement about his involvement in a hit-and-run accident. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(c).
  2. Maxwell Peter Smitko. Hearing Committee # 34 recommended that the court suspend the respondent for three years. The respondent exhibited a pattern of neglect causing serious harm to several clients. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.1(a) (b) & (c), 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f)(5), 5.5(a) & (e)(3), 8.1(b) & (c), 8.4(a) & (c).
  3. Ned Franklin Pierce Sonnier. Hearing Committee # 5 recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent closed down his law practice, abandoned his clients, and failed to refund unearned fees. In doing so, Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f). 1.16(d), 8.1(c), and 8.4(a)(c) and (d).
  4. Irvin Joseph Celestine, Jr. Hearing Committee #20 recommend that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent neglected his duties to his clients, he failed to communicate, and he settled the case without the knowledge or consent of his client. Further, the respondent ignored the allegations and ODC’s efforts to investigate the allegations. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.1(c), 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4(a), 3.2, 8.1(b) (c), and 8.4(a) and (d).
  5. Russell Stegeman. Hearing Committee # 29 recommended that the court suspend the respondent for a period of six months. The respondent failed to appear in court as scheduled. Further, the respondent submitted filings to the court containing false statements and he failed to correct the false statements once known. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 3.3, 8.1(a) and 8.4(a)(c)(d).
  6. Donovan Kenneth Hudson. Hearing Committee # 15 recommended that the court disbar the respondent. Respondent generated two bogus court orders, using manufactured docket numbers, and forged the signatures of each of the judges in the matter. The respondent also failed to communicate with his client and failed to return an unearned fee. Further, the respondent was arrested for resisting an officer by force of violence. The respondent also allowed a client’s claim to prescribe, failed to respond to opposing counsel’s discovery requests, and failed to obey court orders in a suit filed against the respondent for malpractice. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f), 8.1(c), and 8.4(a)(b)(c)(d).
  7. David Opperman. Hearing Committee # 25 recommended that the court permanently disbar the respondent. Respondent was indicted on multiple counts of felony aggravated rape and one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. The respondent entered a no contest plea to an amended count of the indictment charging him with indecent behavior and entered a plea of guilty to an amended bill of information involving a juvenile by committing a lewd and lascivious act with another under the age of seventeen. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 8.4(a) and (b).
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