May 2022 Discipline

These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations published during the month of May 2022.

Louisiana Supreme Court

1. Elizabeth A. Spurgeon. The court granted a joint petition for consent discipline and suspended the respondent from the practice of law for two years, fully deferred. The respondent was arrested for drug and alcohol-related criminal offenses.
2. Rolando Roberto Urbina. The court suspended the respondent from the practice of law for one year and one day. The respondent mishandled client property, converted client funds, failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, and failed cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(c), 8.1(b), 8.1(c), and 8.4(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
3. Steven Courtney Gill. The court denied a petition for reinstatement and prohibited the petitioner from reapplying for reinstatement for three years.
4. Michael Ralph Erwin. The court granted a petition for permanent retirement from the practice of law.
5. Michelle Andrica Charles. The court suspended the respondent from the practice of law for nine months, with six months deferred. The respondent failed to file a state income tax return, neglected a legal matter, failed to communicate with a client, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
6. Michael David Cox. The court disbarred the respondent. The respondent filed meritless pleadings numerous times, disobeyed court orders, engaged in criminal conduct, and made frivolous statements regarding a judge’s integrity. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 3.1, 3.4(c), 8.2(a), 8.4(b), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
7. Sedric E. Banks. The court suspended the respondent for one year, with six months deferred. The respondent failed to withdraw from representation of a client after termination, attempted to recover an unreasonable fee, filed meritless claims, and engaged in a conflict of interest. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.2(a), 1.16, 1.5(a), 1.9, and 3.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
8. Derrick K. Williams. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day. The respondent mismanaged his trust account, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, and failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 1.15, 5.5, and 8.1(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

1. Richmond C. Odom. The board recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for three years. The respondent mismanaged his trust account, converted client funds, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 5.3(b), 5.3(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

LADB Hearing Committees

1. Henry L. Klein. Hearing Committee #37 recommended that the court suspend the respondent from the practice of law for one year and one day. The respondent filed frivolous removal actions solely to delay state court proceedings, falsely accused opposing counsel of engaging in criminal activity, disobeyed court orders, had ex parte communications with a law clerk, inappropriately contacted third party attorneys and non-attorneys, and made unfounded, inflammatory comments regarding the integrity of a judge and other legal professionals. In doing so, the respondent violated Rules 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 3.5(a), 3.5(b), 3.5(d), 4.4(a), 8.2(a), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.