Louisiana Supremes Allow Attorney To Voluntarily Relinquish Law License In Lieu Of Getting The Boot After Bar Probe Concluded That She Mishandled Client Trust Account Money, Failed To Provide Accountings Upon Client Request Or Return Unearned Fees

In New Orleans, Louisiana, the Louisiana Record reports:

• The Louisiana Supreme Court reviewed Sunset attorney Olita Magee Domingue’s request to resign from the practice of law in lieu of discipline on Feb. 3.
  
  The Office of Disciplinary Counsel had commenced an investigation into “numerous complaints of serious professional misconduct against (Domingue).” According to Supreme Court documents archived on the Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board’s website, Domingue allegedly mishandled her client trust account, failed to provide accountings upon request, and failing to return unearned fees. During the ODC investigation, Domingue allegedly failed to cooperate.
  
  The ODC recommended that the attorney’s request for permanent disbarment be granted. The Supreme Court ordered Domingue to make restitution to either her clients or the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Client Assistance Fund.(1) In addition, the ODC determined that Domingue should be permanently prohibited from practicing law in any jurisdiction and may not seek readmission at any time.

Source: State accepts resignation of attorney under investigation.

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(1) The Client Assistance Fund of the Louisiana State Bar Association was created to compensate clients who lose money due to a Louisiana lawyer's dishonest conduct. The Fund can reimburse clients up to $25,000 for thefts by a lawyer. It covers money or property lost because a lawyer was dishonest (not because the lawyer acted incompetently or failed to take certain action).

For similar "attorney ripoff reimbursement funds" that attempt to clean up the financial mess created by the dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in other states and Canada, see:

• Directory Of Lawyers' Funds For Client Protection (February 2017) (includes a listing for Canadian client protection funds, courtesy of the American Bar Association);
• Check the USA Client Protection Funds Map;
• Check the Canada Client Protection Funds Map.

Maps available courtesy of The National Client Protection Organization, Inc.