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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-0535 IN RE: WOODY MARVIN DUNN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM* This attorney disciplinary proceeding arises from formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, Woody Marvin Dunn, an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana. The charges allege respondent allowed

his client's claim to be dismissed on grounds of abandonment, and that he became involved in a conflict of interest by attempting to monetarily settle his liability with his client, in violation of Rules 1.1 (lack of competence); 1.3 (lack of due diligence); 1.4 (failure to comply with reasonable requests for information); 1.8(h) (making an agreement limiting the lawyer's liability for malpractice); 8.4(a) (violating the Rules of Professional Conduct); 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation); and 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice) of the Rules of Professional

Conduct. UNDERLYING FACTS The record indicates that Tina M. Rizzutto retained respondent to pursue a personal injury case on her behalf arising out of a vehicular accident. While respondent timely filed suit on

Mrs. Rizzutto's behalf, he failed to actively pursue the case for over five years, ultimately resulting in a dismissal of the suit on grounds of abandonment.1 After Mrs. Rizzutto advised respondent of the dismissal

*

Traylor, J. not on panel.
1

Rule IV, Part 2,

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Louisiana Law