Recent Rules and Decisions
IN RE MITCHEL M. EVANS II (Deridder), 2019-B-1461 (12/10/19): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for charging an excessive fee, failing to refund unearned fees to several clients, failing to provide competent representation to clients, taking action on behalf of clients without their consent, neglecting legal matters, failing to communicate with clients, improperly entering into a business transaction with a client, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in several investigations. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to
Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).
IN RE LOUELLA P. GIVENS-HARDING (New Orleans), 2019-B-1514 (1/14/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for engaging in an insurance fraud scheme by which she defrauded Medicare of $575,450.07. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).
IN RE DURWARD D. CASTEEL (Baton Rouge), 2019-B-1652 (12/20/19): The Court disbarred the respondent for converting $360,000 in client funds. The factual allegations were deemed admitted pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 11(E)(3).
IN RE LAURA J. JOHNSON (Winnfield), 2019-B-1128 (12/11/19): The Court disbarred the respondent for fabricating a $24,500 receipt to show that her client had paid restitution in his criminal case in an effort to secure the client’s release from incarceration.
Consent Discipline:
IN RE CLAYTON PAUL SCHNYDER, JR. (New Orleans), 2019-B-1500 (12/20/19): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but sixty days deferred, for mishandling his client trust account and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.
IN RE NICHOLAS ANDERSON HALL (New Orleans), 2019-B-1759 (1/22/20): The Court suspended the respondent for six months for practicing law while ineligible to do so.
Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:
IN RE JOHN E. SETTLE, JR. (Bossier City), 2019-OB-1838 (1/14/20).
Rehearing:
IN RE MICHAEL T. BELL (Baton Rouge), 2019-B-1345 (12/20/19): Rehearing denied.
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