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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-2741 IN RE: RUDOLPH ESTESS, JR.

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM*
This attorney disciplinary matter arises from a petition for consent discipline filed by respondent, Rudolph Estess, Jr., an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana.

UNDERLYING FACTS According to the stipulation of facts entered into by respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC"), respondent was admitted to the bar in 1987 and began practicing with his father-in-law. His father-in-law died in 1992, and respondent worked as a solo practitioner, primarily doing oil and gas law. Also in 1992, respondent was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His treating neurologist placed him on Dexedrine, which he took for approximately one year. As a result of the medication, respondent had difficulty sleeping, lost weight and exhibited bizarre behavior, including engaging in compulsive gambling and binge drinking. Around the same time he was placed on the medication, respondent received a large settlement on a case and deposited the funds into his client trust account. He correctly paid the clients out of the account, but left his attorney fee of $190,000 in the trust account, writing checks out of the trust account for gambling and personal necessities. However, at no time did the personal disbursements exceed the personal funds in the account, and it was undisputed that respondent did not spend any client funds for his personal purposes.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS After becoming aware of the facts, the ODC commenced an investigation. Prior to

*

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

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