December 2020 Discipline

These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations published during the month of December 2020.

Louisiana Supreme Court

  1. Gregory Scott Johnson. The court granted the respondent’s petition for permanent resignation from the practice of law in lieu of discipline. The respondent failed to communicate with his clients, neglected legal matters, and converted client or third party funds.
  2. Amy Elizabeth Bateman. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and made false statements to the investigating law enforcement officer. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 8.4(a), 8.4(b) and 8.4(c).
  3. Mari Tara Bartholomew. The court accepted a joint ODC-respondent petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent mismanaged her client trust account. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 1.5(f)(4), 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(f), and 8.4(a).
  4. Jaymeski Pullins-Gorham. The court suspended the respondent for six months. The respondent overdrew her client trust account. The respondent’s behavior violated Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(f), and 8.4(c).
  5. Joslyn Renee Alex. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent communicated with and obtained an affidavit regarding the subject of ongoing litigation from a represented party without the knowledge or consent of the party’s counsel. In so doing, the respondent violated Rule 4.2.
  6. Richard Reynolds. The court suspended the respondent on an interim basis. The court issued no reasons for so doing.
  7. Fred Lebleu, III. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent was arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine. In so doing, the respondent violated Rule 8.4(a) and 8.4(b).
  8. Fred A. Blanche, III. The court reinstated the respondent to the practice of law. The respondent was previously suspended for three years.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

  1. Donald R. Dobbins. The board recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent was arrested multiple times for driving while intoxicated. He also failed to diligently handle client matters and failed to effectively communicate with clients. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 1.1(a), 1.3, l.4, 1.5 and 8.4(a), (b), and (c).
  2. Kathleen M. Wilson. The board recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent was arrested for a DWI and in so doing violated Rule 8.4(b).
  3. Michael Peter Arata. The board recommended that the court disbar the respondent. The respondent was convicted of twelve felony counts involving conspiracy and wire fraud arising from submissions to obtain tax credits under a program instituted by the State of Louisiana that affords tax credits for expenditures made in Louisiana involving the movie film industry. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 8.4(a), (b), and (c).

LADB Hearing Committee

  1. Lillian Brown-Singh. Hearing Committee #27 recommended that the court require the respondent to pass the MPRE before being reinstated to the Louisiana Bar. The respondent was previously suspended for three years in 2001 and had not practiced since.
  2. Michael Langdon Cave. Hearing Committee #26 recommended that the court reinstate the respondent on a conditional basis. The respondent was previously suspended as a result of gambling and substance abuse issues.
  3. Christine Yvone Voelkel. Hearing Committee #62 recommended that the court disbar the respondent. The respondent violated duties owed to her clients, the public, and the legal system and caused actual harm to her clients, including financial harm totaling $18,000. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 1.1(c), 1.3, 1.4(a) and (b), 1.5(f)(5), 1.15(a) and (d), 8.1(c), and 8.4(a) and (c).
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