In re Ransome

Summary

The Louisiana Supreme Court addressed attorney disciplinary charges arising from respondent Darlene Sansone Ransome’s cancellation of a collateral mortgage securing her company’s obligations to Foley & Lardner. The court found that she violated Rule 8.4(c) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct through dishonest conduct and imposed an eighteen-month suspension, with all but six months deferred, followed by two years of supervised probation and completion of Ethics School.

Holdings

1. Respondent violated Rule 8.4(c) by engaging in dishonest conduct when she failed to deliver the collateral mortgage note to Foley, falsely caused the note to be marked paid, and obtained cancellation of the mortgage to gain an advantage in negotiations.
2. An eighteen-month suspension from the practice of law, with all but six months deferred, followed by two years of supervised probation and completion of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Ethics School, was appropriate.

Questions Presented

1. Whether respondent violated Rule 8.4(c) by failing to deliver the collateral mortgage note, falsely causing it to be marked paid, and obtaining cancellation of the mortgage to gain an advantage in negotiations with Foley.
2. What sanction was appropriate for respondent's dishonest conduct, considering the aggravating and mitigating factors and the civil penalties already imposed.

Disposition

other