IN RE: Ashley Johnson GREENHOUSE (2020)

Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent neglected a legal matter, failed to communicate with a client, inappropriately attempted to settle a malpractice claim with a client, and failed to return a client's file upon request. Respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline in which respondent admitted that her conduct violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 1.16, 8.4(a), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Ashley Johnson Greenhouse, Louisiana Bar Roll number 32166, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day. All but six months of this suspension shall be deferred, subject to respondent's successful completion of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Ethics School. Any failure of respondent to complete Ethics School, or any misconduct during the deferral 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.

I dissent from this per curiam. Respondent has admitted violations of Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 1.16, 8.4(a), and 8.4(d) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. In my view, discipline of a one year and one day suspension with all but six months deferred is unduly lenient. Under the facts presented, I would instead impose a suspension of one year and one day with no deferment period. See In re: Bullock, 16-0075 (La. 3/24/16), 187 So. 3d 986 (Crichton, J., would reject consent discipline).