Off To California
Disbarment has been ordered by the Louisiana Supreme Court
Roseina Courville hired respondent to represent her in a claim for damages arising out of injuries she sustained in a fall at a fast-food restaurant in February 2021. After an ongoing lack of communication with respondent, Ms. Courville learned that he did not file suit on her behalf, abandoned his law practice, and left the area. Efforts to discharge respondent in writing were not successful, as were efforts to secure the return of her file. On March 7, 2022, Ms. Courville filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC.
Off to the left coast
On April 2, 2022, the ODC received a letter from Chief Judge Laurie A. Hulin of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court in Abbeville. In the letter, Judge Hulin outlined respondent’s failure to appear for a scheduled hearing in his client’s criminal matter. Judge Hulin indicated that police officers were dispatched to locate respondent and learned in a phone call with him that respondent was in Laguna Beach, California.
And
On April 1, 2022, the ODC received a letter from attorney Adrian Smith, who previously worked with respondent. Mr. Smith advised of his multiple unsuccessful attempts to communicate with respondent. Mr. Smith outlined his interaction with respondent’s mother and others who shared their belief that respondent was living in California and may be having mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Mr. Smith indicated that it appeared to him that respondent had abandoned his law practice and his clients.
There were a host of client complaints and one from an unpaid court reporter.
No ethical violation for the unpaid bill
We agree with the board that there is no misconduct in Count VIII, relating to the unpaid court reporter’s bill. We have previously held that a lawyer’s failure to pay an invoice for court reporting services does not generally constitute a violation of Rule 8.4(d).
Sanction
we will adopt the board’s recommendation and disbar respondent, retroactive to April 8, 2022, the date of his interim suspension.
(Mike Frisch)