IN RE: Mark N. CARACCI. (2005)

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent neglected his clients' legal matters, failed to communicate with his clients, failed to expedite litigation, failed to properly supervise subordinate lawyers, and settled a legal matter without his client's approval.   Respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline.   In that petition, the parties stipulated that respondent's conduct violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct:  Rules 1.2(a) (scope of representation), 1.3 (failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client), 1.4(a) (failure to communicate with a client), 3.2 (failure to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation), and 5.1 (responsibilities of partners, managers, and supervisory lawyers).   As a sanction, they proposed respondent be suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day, deferred, subject to twenty-four (24) months of probation with conditions.   Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Mark N. Caracci, Louisiana Bar Roll number 3865, be suspended from the practice of law in Louisiana for a period of one year and one day.   It is further ordered that this suspension shall be deferred, subject to respondent's successful completion of a twenty-four (24) month period of probation governed by the conditions set forth in the petition for consent discipline.   Any failure by respondent to comply with these conditions or additional misconduct by respondent during the probationary period  may be grounds for making the deferred suspension executory or imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court's judgment until paid.

 PER CURIAM.

JOHNSON, J., and TRAYLOR, J., dissent from the order and would reject the consent discipline. CALOGERO, C.J., recused.