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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-1119 IN RE: BLAKE G. WILLIAMS ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS PER CURIAM*
This attorney disciplinary proceeding arises from the filing of formal charges by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, Blake G. Williams, an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana. The charges allege violations of Rules 1.4 (failure to comply with reasonable requests for information); 1.15 (failure to keep client property separate from attorney's own property); 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 respondent was retained by Mona Lisa Hebert, on behalf of her minor daughter, Rondricka Hunter, in connection with a dispute concerning life insurance proceeds that were due to Rondricka arising from the death of her father. Respondent was ultimately successful, and in December of 1990, he obtained $49,561.32 in life insurance proceeds for Ms. Hebert, on behalf of Rondricka. Ms. Hebert and respondent opened two accounts at Hibernia National Bank with the proceeds: (1) a regular checking account opened with $21,561.32 for the minor's general welfare,1 and (2) a "Tower" savings account opened with the remaining $28,000.00, to be kept intact pending Rondricka's eighteenth birthday. Both checkbooks were entrusted to respondent for safekeeping; however, the accounts were in the names of Rondricka and her mother, in her capacity as tutrix. Ms. Hebert asserted that respondent never received authorization from her to invest

*

Traylor, J. not on panel. Rule IV, Part 2,

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Louisiana Law