In re John C. Geiger

Summary

The Supreme Court of Louisiana disciplined John C. Geiger for negligently failing to supervise a nonlawyer employee who misappropriated funds from trust accounts and for related commingling and conversion of client or third-party funds. The court imposed a one-year-and-one-day suspension, fully deferred, subject to two years of probation and specified conditions.

Holdings

1. The court adopted the hearing committee's factual and legal conclusions and held that Geiger violated Rules 1.15(a), (b), and (c), 5.3(a) and (b), and 8.4(a) by failing to safeguard client and third-party funds and adequately supervise his nonlawyer employee.
2. The court did not find a violation of Rule 8.4(c).
3. The appropriate sanction was a suspension from the practice of law for one year and one day, fully deferred, subject to a two-year probationary period and specified conditions.

Questions Presented

1. Whether clear and convincing evidence established that Geiger violated Rules 1.15(a), (b), and (c), 5.3(a) and (b), and 8.4(a) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Whether Geiger violated Rule 8.4(c) by engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
3. What sanction was appropriate for Geiger's negligent handling and supervision of client and third-party funds in light of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

Disposition

other