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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-2515 IN RE: EDDIE L. STEPHENS ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM*

This attorney disciplinary proceeding arises from fifteen counts of formal charges instituted by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, Eddie L. Stephens, an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana but currently suspended from practice.1 The charges allege violations of Rules 1.1(a) (lack of competence), 1.3 (lack of due diligence), 1.4 (failure to comply with reasonable requests for information), 1.5 (charging an unreasonable and unearned fee), 1.15 (failure to refund client fees), 1.16(d) (failure to properly terminate representation to protect client interests), 3.4(c) (disobedience of obligation under court rules), 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law), 8.1(c) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation), 8.4(a) (violating the Rules of Professional Conduct), 8.4(b) (engaging in criminal acts adversely reflecting on a lawyer's honesty), 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving deceit, dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation) and 8.4(g) (failure to cooperate with the ODC) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

UNDERLYING FACTS Counts I and II Dawn Dukes retained respondent to represent her in a personal injury matter stemming from a vehicular accident. In June 1993, respondent settled the claim for the sum of $7,025, and withheld $2,000 from the disbursement to pay Ms. Dukes' health care provider. However, despite repeated requests, respondent failed to pay the bill.

*

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

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Louisiana Law