IN RE: Dante Jerome BUTLER (2019)

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

Respondent mishandled his client trust account and did not maintain adequate financial or client records, failed to submit an opposition to a motion for summary judgment and then concealed his neglect, and failed to diligently pursue discovery on his client's behalf. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel submitted a joint petition for consent discipline. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Dante Jerome Butler, Louisiana Bar Roll number 33753, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for a period of eighteen months, with all but one year and one day deferred. This suspension shall be retroactive to May 8, 2019, the date of respondent's prior suspension imposed in In re: Butler, 18-1812 (La. 5/8/19), ––– So. 3d ––––, 2019 WL 2746520.

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