July 2020 Discipline

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

Louisiana Supreme Court

  1. Alex Washington, Jr. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The court accepted a petition for consent discipline submitted by the respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which respondent acknowledged that he violated Rules 1.15(a)(f) and 5.3.
  2. Shante Y. Wells. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The court accepted a petition for consent discipline submitted by the respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which respondent acknowledged that she violated Rules 1.15(a)(f) and 5.3.
  3. Marcus Spagnoletti. The court enjoined the respondent from seeking pro hac vice admission before a Louisiana court for three years. The respondent neglected clients’ legal matters and failed to communicate with them.
  4. Stephen Michael Smith. The court suspended the respondent for one year. The court accepted a petition for consent discipline submitted by the respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which respondent acknowledged that he violated Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(d), 1.15(f), 5.4(a), 5.5(a), and 8.4(a) .
  5. Joseph Aiavolasiti Kott. The court reinstated the respondent to active status and then placed him on interim suspension.
  6. Mary Lee Holmes. The court publicly reprimanded the respondent. The respondent represented a criminal defendant in Louisiana without first seeking pro hac vice admission.
  7. Bryan Joseph Haydel, Jr. The court suspended the respondent on an interim basis. The court issued no reasons for so doing.
  8. Francis Spagnoletti. The court enjoined the respondent from seeking pro hac vice admission before a Louisiana court for three years. The respondent neglected his clients’ legal matters, failed to communicate with his clients, failed to promptly disburse client funds, and failed to supervise a non-lawyer assistant.
  9. Joe’l Murphy Freeman. The court publicly reprimanded the respondent. The respondent was arrested for possession of marijuana.
  10. James A. Dukes. The court granted the respondent’s request for permanent resignation in lieu of discipline. The respondent was convicted in Tangipahoa Parish of theft of $25,000 or more, theft of the assets of an aged or disabled person over $1,500, and exploitation of the infirmed.
  11. Charles L. Dirks, III. The court suspended the respondent for eighteen months. The court accepted a petition for consent discipline submitted by the respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which respondent acknowledged that he violated Rules 1.4 and 8.4(c).
  12. Susan Heard Crawford. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The court accepted a petition for consent discipline submitted by the respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which respondent acknowledged that she violated Rules 8.4(a) and 8.4(b). The respondent was arrested on charges of DWI, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, open container, and resisting a law enforcement officer.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

  1. John Edward Whalen, Jr. The board recommended that the court disbar the respondent. The respondent failed to communicate with his client, client, failed to diligently fulfill the services he agreed to perform, failed to provide an accounting, and failed to return unearned fees has caused significant, actual damage to his client. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5.
  2. Michael B. Rennix. The board recommended that the court permanently disbar the respondent. The respondent converted client funds and forged a client’s signature among other violations. The respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4(a) and (b), 1.5, 1.15(a) and (c), 3.3(a)(1), 5.5(a) and (b)(2), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), (b), (c), and (d).
  3. Joslyn Renee Alex. The board recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year. The respondent violated Rule 4.2.

LADB Hearing Committee

  1. Rudy W. Gorrell, Jr. Hearing Committee #8 recommended that the board publicly reprimand the respondent. The respondent violated Rules 4.4(a), 8.4(a), and 8.4(d).
  2. Anna M. Jackson. Hearing Committee #28 recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent abandoned her legal practice and failed to communicate with her client. In so doing, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f)(5), and 8.1(c).
  3. Kathleen M. Wilson. Hearing Committee #62 recommended that the court suspend the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent was arrested for a DWI. In so doing, the respondent violated Rule 8.4(b).
  4. Fred A. Blanche. Hearing Committee #34 recommended that the court conditionally reinstate the respondent. The respondent was preciously suspended for three years on September 24, 2010.
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