October 2016 Discipline

la-sealThese lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of October 2016.

Louisiana Supreme Court

  1. Hugh E. McNeely. The court found the respondent responsible for dismissing a client’s case without the client’s consent, failing to respond promptly to a client, and failing to cooperate with an ODC investigation. The respondent is currently suspended from the practice of law for 3-years (for neglecting client matters, failing to communicate with clients, failure to return unearned fees, and failing to cooperate with the ODC investigation). The court held that these new violations shall be considered if the respondent seeks reinstatement to the practice of law.
  2. Anthony Hollis. The court found the respondent responsible for allowing a client’s claim to prescribe, failing to communicate with a client, and misleading a client on the status of a matter.  The respondent is currently disbarred. The court held that these new violations shall be considered if the respondent seeks readmission to the practice of law.
  3. Cynthia Ann Sternberg. The court granted the respondent’s Petition for Transfer to Disability Inactive Status.
  4. Murray Salinas. The respondent was disbarred and ordered to pay restitution for violations of various Rules of Professional Conduct in eight separate matters. The violations included failure to return unearned fees, failure to communicate with clients, failure to return client files, and failure to cooperate with the ODC investigation.
  5. Ravindra Kanwal.  The court granted a petition for reciprocal discipline and disbarred the respondent in the wake of his disbarment in Colorado. The Supreme Court of Colorado found that Kanwal engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while suspended.
  6. Victoria Baker Flores. The court granted a Joint Petition for Consent Discipline and suspended the respondent from the practice of law for 6-months, all deferred.  The respondent admitted to practicing law while ineligible.
  7. Edward Bissau Mendy. The court disbarred the respondent from the practice of law and ordered him to pay restitution. The court found that the respondent failed to return unearned fees, neglected client matters, and failed to cooperate with the ODC investigation.
  8. Roger Wayne Kitchens. The court granted a Joint Petition for Interim Suspension for Threat of Harm. Prior to the filing of this petition, the respondent was the subject of proceedings before Hearing Committee #10 and Hearing Committee #09.  The various charges lodged against him included: the unauthorized practice of law, failure to timely comply with his annual professional obligations, and failure to cooperate with the ODC investigation.
  9. Arthur Gilmore Jr.  The court disbarred the respondent from the practice of law for criminal convictions arising out of racketeering and accepting bribes while a Monroe city councilman.
  10. John Arthur Brittain. The court granted a Joint Petition for Transfer to Disability Inactive Status.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

  1. Ashton R. O’Dwyer, Jr. The board recommended that the respondent be permanently disbarred from the practice of law.  The board found that Mr. O’Dwyer engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and demonstrated a flagrant disregard and contempt of the legal system.  In addition, the board cited evidence of vile, racist, and threatening language in the respondent’s pleadings, e-mails, and letters as reasons for recommending permanent disbarment.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Hearing Committees

  1. Janinne Latrell Gilbert. Hearing Committee #6 recommended that the respondent be permanently disbarred for the unauthorized practice of law.  The respondent continued to practice law despite being disbarred.
  2. Michael Louis Martin. Hearing Committee #8 recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for three years, that he account for trust account monies, and that he pay restitution. The committee found that the respondent commingled and converted client funds in trust accounts and failed to cooperate with ODC’s investigation.
  3. Alvin Anthony Johnson, Jr. Hearing Committee #33 recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law, with all but 6-months deferred.  The committee found that the respondent commingled and converted client funds and failed to account for funds owed to his client.
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