Preview:

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 00-B-1359 IN RE: LEONARD WILLIAM CROOKS

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS PER CURIAM*
This disciplinary matter arises from a petition for consent discipline filed prior to the institution of formal charges by respondent, Leonard William Crooks, an attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") concurred in respondent's petition, and the disciplinary board recommended the proposed consent discipline be accepted.

UNDERLYING FACTS The record of this matter reveals that respondent has improperly used his client trust account on at least three occasions. In the first instance, respondent drew a check on his trust account, anticipating that settlement funds were going to be wire transferred to the account.1 Respondent instructed his office staff that the check was not to be negotiated until the wire transfer was received. Respondent then departed from the country. During his absence, respondent's office staff negotiated the check without waiting for the wire transfer to be received. The second incident concerned a check drawn on respondent's trust account in the amount of $29 and payable to the United States Post Office. This check was
*

Traylor, J., not on panel. Rule IV, Part II,

Download 2000-B-1359 IN RE: LEONARD WILLIAMS CROOKS.pdf

Louisiana Law