Florida Bar Seeks to Discipline “Pit Bull” Lawyer
The Florida Bar initiated disciplinary proceedings against Florida lawyer Robert Laurence Pelletier for describing himself as a “pit bull” lawyer and using an online image of a pit bull in …
Prosecutor’s Brady Violation Draws Proposed Six-Month Suspension
Unlike other litigating lawyers, prosecutors are not merely advocates; they are also administrators of justice who have a duty to “seek justice, [and] not merely to convict.” See ABA Stds. Relating to …
Lawyer Disciplined for Multi-Tasking at CLE
The Supreme Court of Kansas disciplined a lawyer for making a “materially false statement” in reporting his attendance at an MCLE program. See In re Mathews, No. 120,924 (Ks. Sep. …
Lawyer Disciplined for Fake Facebook Page
On February 8, 2019, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended a lawyer/prosecutor for creating a fake Facebook page in an effort to catch criminals. See Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. …
Don’t Lie About CLE
Joseph Raymond Sanchez, a lawyer admitted to practice in both New York and Oregon, was required to complete 45 hours of CLE courses for the 2009 to 2011 reporting period. …
Friends Don’t Let Friends Do Improper Business Transactions With Clients
On March 9, 2017, the New Jersey Supreme Court censured a lawyer for engaging in improper business transactions with his longtime friend and client. See In re Lauletta, No. 078231 (N.J. Mar. …
Be Careful Allowing Client to “Work Off” a Legal Bill
A recent complaint filed by disciplinary counsel in Illinois is a cautionary tale for lawyers who offer their clients the ability to “work off” an unpaid bill for fees. See In re …
Two Baton Rouge Area Judges Suspended
On June 29, 2016, the Louisiana Supreme Court suspended two Baton Rouge area judges on recommendation of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission. First, the court suspended Judge J. Robin Free without pay for …
Don’t Lie About Your Trip
A New York lawyer was disbarred on July 14, 2015 for lying to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency on a reentry form “on which he falsely stated that …
Should a Lawyer Who Uses Racially-Offensive Language be Subject to Discipline?
At least two complaints lodged with the Louisiana Office of Disciplinary over the last few months allege misconduct arising out of lawyers’ use of the “N-word” or some variation of …