IN RE: DONOVAN RAYMOND FRANCIS (2023)

Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.

09/26/23

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

NO. 2023-B-1062

IN RE: DONOVAN RAYMOND FRANCIS

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

PER CURIAM

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent mishandled his client trust account. Respondent then failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Donovan Raymond Francis, Louisiana Bar Roll number 35776, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months. This suspension shall be deferred in its entirety, subject to respondent's successful completion of a two-year period of probation governed by the conditions set forth in the Petition for Consent Discipline. The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent and the ODC execute a formal probation plan. Any failure of respondent to comply with the conditions of probation, or any misconduct 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.

I would require at least a one-year suspension with no less than 30 days of said suspension being served and the listed conditions of probation.

Crichton, J., dissents and would reject the proposed discipline as too lenient. Genovese, J., dissents and assigns reasons. Crain, J., dissents and would reject the proposed discipline as too lenient.