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Corrected Per Curiam - 2/3/99

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-2740 IN RE: E. GORDON SCHAEFER, JR.

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM*
This attorney disciplinary proceeding arises from two counts of formal charges instituted by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, E. Gordon Schaffer, Jr., an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana. The charges allege violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically, Rules 1.3 (lack of due diligence), 1.4 (failing to comply with reasonable requests for information), 8.1(b) (knowing failure to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority), 8.1(c) (failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation) and 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation).

UNDERLYING FACTS The record indicates that in 1989, Carol Hoadley retained respondent to represent her in a litigation/arbitration claim against the Merrill Lynch stock brokerage firm. Respondent failed take any action regarding the claim. However, over the next several years, respondent assured his client that he was handling the matter and informed her the litigation was postponed and reset to later dates. In 1996, he told her the matter had been removed to federal court in Monroe, Louisiana. Finally, in 1997, respondent admitted to his client that he never filed the case. He further stated he was moving to Mexico and told her she needed to obtain other counsel.1 On November 24, 1997, Ms. Hoadley filed a complaint with the ODC regarding respondent's misconduct. The ODC forwarded three separate notices of the complaint by certified

*

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

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Louisiana Law