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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 98-B-3207 IN RE: STEPHEN M. BERNSTEIN

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM*
This disciplinary matter arises from a petition for consent discipline filed by respondent, Stephen M. Bernstein.

UNDERLYING FACTS Since no formal hearing was conducted, the underlying facts were not developed in detail. However, the petition indicates respondent was engaged in an ongoing practice of using various persons to whom the payment of money or anything of value was made for the purpose of obtaining representation of clients. The parties agree that respondent's conduct violated Rule 7.2 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.1

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent filed a petition for consent discipline. Respondent admitted his conduct violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. As discipline, respondent sought a three year suspension, with one year deferred, followed by a two year period of probation subject to conditions. Respondent agreed to cooperate with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") and provide complete and truthful testimony in any disciplinary proceeding, as well as in any state criminal prosecution against any person alleged to have accepted anything of value in exchange for obtaining representation of clients, or in such proceedings against other lawyers

*

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

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