In re Charles

59 So. 3d 1258, 2011 La. LEXIS 797, 2011 WL 1329169

Opinion

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS.

PER CURIAM.

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The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent improperly settled a claim for his malpractice without first advising his client to seek independent counsel. Prior to the institution of formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that E. Roland Charles, Louisiana Bar Roll number 4092, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months. This suspension shall be deferred in its entirety, subject to respondent’s successful completion of a one-year period of supervised probation governed by the terms and conditions set forth in the Petition for Consent Discipline. The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent, the ODC, and the probation monitor execute a formal probation plan. Any failure of respondent to comply with the conditions of probation, or any misconduct during the probationary period, may be grounds for making the deferred suspension executory, or imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court’s judgment until paid.

Chief Justice Kimball not participating in the opinion.