No Risk, No Contingent Fee

The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended a stayed one-year suspension with a year of probation for three partners in a law firm. The core allegations related to a contingency fee agreement where there was no risk that the lawyers would not be paid. The agreement, which gave the law partners an interest in client real property, violated the business transactions rule (Rule 1.8(a)) as well as the rule relating to contingent fees. The board rejected charges of dishonesty in determining that an active suspension was not appropriate. (Mike Frisch)