IN RE: Stephen Michael SMITH (2020)

Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

Respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) submitted a joint petition for consent discipline wherein respondent admitted to violating Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(d), 1.15(f), 5.4(a), 5.5(a), and 8.4(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Stephen Michael Smith, Louisiana Bar Roll number 28235, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year. All but ninety days of this suspension shall be deferred. Following the active portion of the suspension, respondent shall be placed on probation for a period of one year with the condition that he attend the Louisiana State Bar Association's Ethics School and Trust Accounting School. 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 portion of the 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