In re Baum

Summary

The Louisiana Supreme Court reviews and accepts John G. Baum’s petition for consent discipline arising from neglect of client matters, failure to communicate and refund unearned fees, failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities, and unauthorized practice of law in Texas. The court orders an eighteen-month suspension, with all but one year and one day deferred, followed by one year of supervised probation upon reinstatement. The court also requires Baum to seek reinstatement because the suspension exceeds one year.

Holdings

1. The extent of discipline proposed in a petition for consent discipline remains subject to review by the Supreme Court of Louisiana.
2. An eighteen-month suspension from the practice of law, with all but one year and one day deferred, followed by one year of supervised probation, was appropriate.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the proposed consent-discipline sanction was appropriate in light of respondent's misconduct, injury, aggravating factors, and mitigating circumstances.
2. Whether an eighteen-month suspension, with all but one year and one day deferred and followed by one year of supervised probation, should be imposed for the stipulated misconduct.

Disposition

other