Preview:

02/22/02 "See News Release 012 for any concurrences and/or dissents.

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 01-B-3048 IN RE: VINCENT BLANSON

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM
This disciplinary matter arises from two counts of formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, Vincent Blanson, an attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

UNDERLYING FACTS In August 1999, Patricia Clark retained respondent to file a personal injury suit on her behalf. Respondent neglected the matter and failed to comply with his client's requests for information concerning the status of the matter, forcing Ms. Clark to retain other counsel to file suit and protect her interests. In June 2000, Ms. Clark filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. Respondent failed to answer the complaint, necessitating the issuance of a subpoena by the ODC. Although respondent appeared pursuant to the subpoena, he asked that the matter be continued until he was able to retain counsel. He subsequently ignored the ODC's requests to reschedule the matter. When respondent was personally served with a second subpoena, he failed to appear to give a sworn statement.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS Formal Charges

After investigation, the ODC filed two counts of formal charges against respondent, alleging that his conduct in the Clark matter violated the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 1.3 (failure to act with diligence and promptness in representing a client), 1.4 (failure to communicate with a client), 3.2 (failure to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation), 8.1(c) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation), 8.4(a) (violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct), and 8.4(g) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation). Respondent failed to answer or otherwise reply to the formal charges. Accordingly, no formal hearing was held, and the matter was submitted to the hearing committee solely on documentary evidence. See Supreme Court Rule XIX,

Download 2001-B-3048 IN RE: VINCENT BLANSON.pdf

Louisiana Law