March 2024 Discipline

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These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders of Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board recommendations published during the month of March 2024.

Louisiana Supreme Court

  1. George Allen Roth Walsh. The Court permanently disbarred the respondent. The respondent practiced law while disbarred and failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. In doing so, the Respondent violated 1.16(a)(1), 5.5(a), 8.1(b), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), 8.4(b) and 8,.4(c).
  2. Adam John Verret. The Court granted the joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent for a period of six months, with three months deferred. Prior to the filing of formal charges, the ODC had commenced an investigation into allegations that the respondent had engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with two clients.
  3. John Felder Crawford, II. The Court granted the ODC’s petition for interim suspension and suspended the respondent from the practice of law on an interim basis.
  4. Timothy Baron Holden. The Court granted the petitioner’s petition for conditional reinstatement.
  5. Willie G. Johnson, Jr. The Court granted the joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent for six months, deferred in its entirety. Prior to the filing of formal charges, the ODC had commenced an investigation into allegations that the respondent failed to remit settlement funds to a third-party loan company that held a lien against the settlement proceeds.
  6. Jessica L. Mullaly. The Court granted the joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but ninety days of the suspension deferred. Prior to the filing of formal charges, the ODC had commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent mismanaged her client trust account and shared fees with a non-lawyer.
  7. Samuel Robert Aucoin. The Court suspended the respondent from the practice of law for three years. The Court ordered that the suspension run concurrently to the suspension imposed by the Court in a prior discipline matter. The respondent failed to perform work on a matter, wrote checks on a closed account, failed to comply with criminal court orders, failed to perfect a judge’s oral ruling, and failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.4, 1.4(a), 3.4(c), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c).
  8. Jonathan Wayne Brown. The Court granted the ODC’s petition for interim suspension and suspended the respondent from the practice of law on an interim basis.
  9. Ella Douglas Kliebert. The Court granted the joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent for a period of one year and one day, with all but thirty days deferred. Prior to the filing of formal charges, the ODC had commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent was arrested for second-offense driving while intoxicated.
  10. Robert James Lounsberry, Sr. The Court granted the petition for permanent resignation from the practice of law in lieu of discipline.
  11. John D. Acomb. The Court granted the joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent from the practice of law for a period of six months, deferred in its entirety. Prior to the filing of formal charges, the ODC had commenced an investigation into allegations that the respondent mismanaged his client trust account, which resulted in the negligent commingling and conversion of funds.
  12. William E. LeBlanc. The Court granted the petitioner’s petition for permanent retirement from the practice of law.

Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board

  1. Russell S. Stegeman. The Board recommended that the respondent be publicly reprimanded. The respondent failed to diligently review his file and notices from the trial court, resulting in the respondent appearing late for a hearing. The respondent also filed an unopposed motion for a continuance when opposing counsel in fact opposed the continuance. In doing so, the respondent 1.3, 8.4(a) and 8.4(d).

LADB Hearing Committees.

  1. Lionel Lon Burns. Hearing Committee # 12 recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for two years. The respondent passively engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by continuing to collect legal fees in a matter despite his suspension. He also failed to communicate with clients, failed to return unearned fees, engaged in dishonest conduct, and filed an affidavit with the Louisiana Supreme Court which contained false and misleading information. In doing so, he violated Rules 1.4(a)(2)(3)(4)(5)(5), 1.5(f)(5), 1.16(d), 3.4(c), 5.5(e)(4), 8.1(a), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c).
  2. Ronald Sidney Haley. Hearing Committee #26 recommended that the respondent be suspended for one year and one day. The respondent failed to act diligently in representing clients which contributed to a failure to communicate with his clients regarding the status of their litigation. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4(a)(3), 8.1(a), 8.4(a)(c) and (d).
  3. Jonathan Wayne Brown. Hearing Committee #22 recommended that the respondent be suspended for one year and one day, with all but 90 days of the suspension deferred. The respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, failed to keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, and partially failed to cooperate with the ODC’s investigation of the complaint. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4(a)(3), 1.5(f)(5), and 8.4(a).
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