“Insidious” Actions of Judge Result in New Trial
A sharply divided Louisiana Supreme Court granted a new trial after a defense verdict in a medical malpractice action. According to the court, the trial judge’s actions resulted in “a …
New Orleans Lawyer Suspended for Retaining Co-Counsel Solely to Force Judge Porteous’s Recusal
On May 4, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the suspension of New Orleans lawyer Joseph N. Mole from the practice of law in …
Court Reinstates Suspended Lawyer With No-Solo-Practice Condition
In an unusual rehearing order, the Louisiana Supreme Court reinstated suspended lawyer Robert A. Booth, Jr., with the condition that for a two-year probationary period he “may not operate a …
SCOTUS Reverses Louisiana Murder Conviction for Prosecutorial Misconduct
On March 7, 2016, the United States Supreme Court reversed the capital murder conviction of Michael Wearry due to the failure of prosecutors to disclose evidence that could have been …
Court Suspends Former Judge from Practice of Law
On March 14, 2016, the Louisiana Supreme Court indefinitely suspended former Orleans Parish Juvenile Court judge Yolanda J. King from the practice of law. See In re Yolanda J. King, No. 2016-B-0331 …
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers: Don’t Falsely Inflate Your Clients’ Medical Bills
May a plaintiff’s lawyer who negotiates a discount with a treating physician thereafter attempt to recover the undiscounted “cost” from the defendant? No, according to a recent decision from the Louisiana …
Don’t Hold a Client’s Settlement Proceeds Hostage
The Louisiana Supreme Court suspended Lake Charles lawyer Satrica Williams-Bensaadat for, among other things, refusing to endorse a settlement check in an effort to force a resolution of her fee claim. See In re Satrica …
Baton Rouge Lawyer Suspended for Child Porn Conviction
On November 18, 2015, the Louisiana Supreme Court indefinitely suspended Baton Rouge lawyer G. William Jarman in the wake of his conviction on federal child-porn charges. See In re George William Jarman, …
Northshore Lawyer Suspended for Accepting Marijuana as Fee
A hearing committee of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended a fully-deferred suspension for a Northshore lawyer who received his legal fee in marijuana. See In re James D. Mecca, No. …
Suspension for Attempting to Buy Off Witness
The Louisiana Supreme Court suspended New Orleans lawyer Donald R. Pryor for a year and a day for attempting to buy off a witness. See In re Pryor, No. 2015-B-0243 (La. …