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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. 99-B-1829

IN RE: BLAKE G. WILLIAMS

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM*
This matter arises from one count of formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against Blake G. Williams, a currently disbarred attorney.1 The ODC alleges respondent's conduct violates Rules 1.15 (safekeeping property of a client or third person), 8.4(a) (violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct), 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer), 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), and 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

UNDERLYING FACTS Respondent was retained by his aunt, Brenda Mayfield, to obtain the proceeds of life insurance policies covering Mrs. Mayfield's daughter, Tangie Thompson, and her grandson, Devyn Thompson, who were murdered on February 4, 1995.2 Respondent was eventually successful in obtaining $106,193.84 for Mrs. Mayfield. Upon obtaining the settlement checks, respondent forged his client's endorsement and deposited the funds into his trust account. Respondent did not remit the funds promptly to his client, nor did he account for the funds. Although some of the settlement was

*

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

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