Northshore Lawyer Suspended for Accepting Marijuana as Fee
On January 20, 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court suspended St. Tammany Parish lawyer James D. Mecca for one year as a result of his acceptance of “marijuana in exchange for …
How Far Can a Lawyer Go in Criticizing a Louisiana Judge?
Not very far at all.
The Importance of a Nonengagement Letter
The Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of legal malpractice claims against Bossier City lawyer W. Jarred Franklin because he sent a timely disengagement letter …
“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 …