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06/06/2008 "See News Release 039 for any Concurrences and/or Dissents."

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 08-B-0273 IN RE: DARREL D. RYLAND

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

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

UNDERLYING FACTS In October 2004, Anita Gremillion retained respondent to handle her divorce and ancillary matters. In May 2005, while the representation was ongoing, respondent and Ms. Gremillion began to develop a mutual attraction towards one another. On June 13, 2005, the trial judge signed a judgment of divorce pursuant to Article 102 of the Louisiana Civil Code. The judge also signed a consent judgment as to child custody and support, leaving only the partition of the community property to be determined. The following day, respondent and Ms. Gremillion entered into a consensual sexual relationship. The affair ended several months later, at which time respondent withdrew from representing Ms. Gremillion in the domestic matter.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS In April 2006, respondent self-reported his misconduct to the ODC. Approximately two weeks later, Ms. Gremillion filed a complaint against respondent

with the ODC based upon the same allegations. On January 3, 2007, the ODC filed one count of formal charges against respondent, alleging that his conduct as set forth above violated the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 1.7(a)(2) (conflict of interest) and 8.4(a) (violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct). In his answer to the formal charges, respondent admitted that he entered into a consensual sexual relationship with a client. Respondent further admitted this conduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Hearing Committee Report This matter proceeded to a hearing in mitigation, at which respondent and Ms. Gremillion testified. Thereafter, the hearing committee filed its report with the disciplinary board. In its report, the committee emphasized that notwithstanding some dispute as to largely irrelevant facts

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