NEW ORLEANS —The Louisiana Supreme Court recently suspended Mark Anthony Johnson, a Hahnville attorney, from the practice of law for practicing while ineligible, failing to cooperate with a Louisiana State Bar investigation and driving while intoxicated.
According to the April 24 Supreme Court Order, in May 2014, nearly a year after he began employment for Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DTOD), the attorney was "declared ineligible to practice law" for failing to complete his minimum continuing legal education hours. Later, in September 2014, he was also declared ineligible for failing to pay his bar dues and file his client trust account registration statement. During this time while he was ineligible, the attorney allegedly continued to perform services for DTOD who eventually filed a formal complaint against him.
After receiving the formal complaint, the state bar attempted to gather information from the attorney by contacting him via mail at the address listed on his state bar membership. The attorney claims that address was incorrect, but did not provide a reason as to why he had never updated the address. Another notice was sent to a different address and signed for by his daughter, but he still did not submit an actual response to the charges.
The remaining charge stems from August 2012, when Johnson was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated. The attorney admitted to consuming alcohol while operating his vehicle.
Johnson’s multiple acts and pattern of misconduct and alleged indifference to his actions led the state bar to recommend discipline. Johnson will be suspended for one year and one day and is responsible for all associated court costs.
The St. Charles Parish attorney was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1994.