Karen Kidd News
Fifth Circuit affirms lower court's ruling finding man guilty of re-entering U.S. illegally
NEW ORLEANS — A federal jury's conviction of a Mexican man for illegal re-entry into the United States in 2016 has been affirmed on appeal, despite the felon's claim that his Brady rights had been violated.
Federal Judge strikes injured man's unseaworthiness claim
A federal judge recently granted a motion for partial summary judgment in a complaint filed against insurers by a man who was injured in 2013 while employed by a marine salvage company that has since filed for bankruptcy.
Federal Judge issues another order in 84 Lumber case
A federal judge overseeing a complaint filed over a soured deal to build two schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has issued another order, this time denying a motion for attorney's fees and to amend or alter the final judgment in the case.
Thibodaux attorney placed on disability inactive status following alcohol, dependency issues
NEW ORLEANS — Thibodaux attorney Howard Lucas Marcello has been transferred to disability inactive status following an April 6 Louisiana Supreme Court order following years that Marcello has spent on probation for alcohol and chemical addiction issues.
Lake Charles attorney suspended following allegations of commingling, conversion
NEW ORLEANS — Lake Charles attorney Bryan F. Gill Jr, practicing in Louisiana for almost 32 years, has been suspended following an April 6 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding over allegations he "commingled personal funds with client funds in his trust account and converted client and third party funds."
Former Orleans Parish judge reprimanded for allegedly failing to supervise assistant
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — New Orleans attorney and former Orleans Parish traffic and civil judge Ronald J. Sholes has been publicly reprimanded following an April 2 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding over allegations he failed to adequately supervise a non-lawyer assistant.
Louisiana high court ruling for charter schools makes funding law clear, business advocate says
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Supreme Court decision last month in favor of charter schools is a clear victory for backers of those schools, a business lobby president said during a recent interview.
Appeals court declines to revive 11-year-old civil rights case against St. Tammany Sheriff's Office
A federal appeals court recently declined to revive an 11-year-old civil rights lawsuit of a longtime fugitive who claimed he'd been beaten while handcuffed by St. Tammany Parish sheriff's deputies during a traffic stop in 2006.
Longtime Breaux Bridge attorney put on interim suspension after prostitution arrest
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Breaux Bridge attorney Walter Glenn Soileau, a former city judge practicing in Louisiana for more than 45 years, has been placed on interim suspension following a March 23 Louisiana Supreme Court order, a few weeks after his arrest on prostitution charges.
New Orleans attorney suspended following unsuccessful attempt to purchase house from client
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — New Orleans attorney Gregory Swafford has been suspended following a March 23 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding over allegations stemming from an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a house from his client.
Covington attorney receives deferred suspension, probation after admitting to misconduct
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Covington attorney Christa Hayes Forrester received a fully deferred suspension following a March 23 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding regarding allegations arising from a client matter.
Former juvenile court judge suspended following auto theft ring indictment
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Gretna attorney and former juvenile court Judge David L. Bell has been suspended following a March 16 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney order a little more than a year after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly participating in a Jefferson Parish auto theft ring.
Judge partially dissents from appeals court decision to reverse lower court ruling in West Nile death
An appeals court judge partially dissented in a recent decision to partially reverse a lower court ruling in the case of a Texas woman whose husband died following complications from West Nile virus in 2013.
Owner of foreclosed Gretna property loses FDCPA suit
NEW ORLEANS — A Gretna man who lost his property to a sheriff's sale in October now has lost his case against financers who held the mortgage he paid for 16 years after he failed to respond to their motions, according to a recent court order.
Covington attorney granted voluntarily transfer to disability inactive status
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Covington attorney Joseph Aiavolasiti Kott has been voluntarily transferred to disability inactive status following a March 9 Louisiana Supreme Court order.
Shreveport attorney suspended over alleged rule violations, failing to cooperate
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Shreveport attorney Laetitia Black has received a partially deferred suspension following a March 13 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding regarding alleged professional conduct rule violations and failing to cooperate with an investigation.
Louisiana must pay legal fees of man denied marriage license for lacking birth certificate
NEW ORLEANS — The State of Louisiana will have to pay more than $150,000 to an attorney representing a man who sued after he was denied a marriage license because he doesn't have a birth certificate, according to a federal judge's recent order.
Natchitoches attorney voluntarily disbarred following 'numerous complaints'
NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Natchitoches attorney John Arthur Brittain has been voluntarily disbarred following a March 2 Louisiana Supreme Court attorney disciplinary proceeding after "numerous complaints" that included conversion of client funds.
Chalmette attorney sentenced to probation after admitting to conflict of interest
NEW ORLEANS -- Chalmette attorney Gregory J. Noto, practicing in Louisiana for more than 33 years, has been placed on probation after he admitted to having engaged in a conflict of interest.