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 …
Sex With Clients is Verboten. What About Sex with Former Clients and Prospective Clients?
On December 9, 2014, the Supreme Court of Louisiana considered the propriety of sexual relationships involving a lawyer and various present, current and former clients. See In re Randy J. …
How Busy is the Office of Disciplinary Counsel?
In 2014 to date, Louisiana lawyers were the subject of more than 2,900 complaints filed with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel. As of this week, ODC …
LADB Hearing Committee Recommends Permanent Disbarment of Former Congressman William J. Jefferson
On November 14, 2014, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee No. 22 recommended that the Louisiana Supreme Court permanently disbar former congressman William J. Jefferson. See In re William J. Jefferson, …
California Prosecutor Faces Discipline for Bad Joke
California disciplinary authorities (understandably) can’t take a joke. A prosecutor sent the defendant’s lawyer a transcript that included an English translation of the defendant’s Spanish recorded statement. Purportedly as a joke, …