In re Vincent C. Cofield

Summary

The Supreme Court of Louisiana permanently disbarred Vincent C. Cofield after finding that he practiced law while disbarred, misrepresented his status to prison officials, failed to cooperate with disciplinary investigations, and pled guilty to possessing drug paraphernalia. The court found numerous aggravating factors, no mitigating factors, and concluded that the misconduct warranted permanent disbarment under the applicable guidelines.

Holdings

1. When a respondent fails to answer formal disciplinary charges, the factual allegations are deemed admitted, but legal conclusions flowing from those facts are not automatically admitted and must be supported when they are not readily apparent. Here, the admitted facts and record established the charged violations.
2. Permanent disbarment was appropriate because respondent engaged in the unauthorized practice of law after being disbarred, falsely held himself out as a licensed attorney, and demonstrated a fundamental lack of moral character and fitness, with numerous aggravating factors and no mitigating factors.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the deemed-admitted facts established violations of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Whether respondent's unauthorized practice of law after disbarment, coupled with his other misconduct and aggravating factors, warranted permanent disbarment.

Disposition

other