Suspension Proposed For Prosecutor Who Defended

The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended a suspension for a year and a day for misconduct involving a lawyer's representing criminal defendants in Orleans Parish while at the same time serving as an assistant district attorney in that Parish. The misconduct found by the board (the attorney had defaulted on the charges) included conflicts of interest and misrepresentations to a tribunal by his failure to disclose that he was not permitted to represent criminal defendants, among other ethical lapses. The attorney had a prior record of discipline that included an earlier suspension for a year and a day.

The board called the decision favoring suspension over disbarment a "close call." (Mike Frisch)