Too Harsh?

An associate in a Baton Rouge law firm was assigned to handle a claim for a mother and four children arising out of an accident in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. The lawyer submitted medical bills totaling over $23,000 to an insurance company. The lawyer learned that the client and two of the children had been in an earlier, minor accident in a Wal-Mart lot. The lawyer altered and submitted the medical bills from the first claim. He was indicted and convicted of the felony offense of inciting a felony. Bar disciplinary proceedings were brought that have now resulted in an order of permanent disbarment from the Louisiana Supreme Court. The lawyer had contended that the sanction was “too harsh.”

It appears that the lawyer was relatively new to the profession when the conduct took place. Disbarment may well be appropriate, but permanent disbarment? (Mike Frisch)