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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Houston attorney voluntarily suspended over multiple arrests, practicing while ineligible

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NEW ORLEANS—Houston attorney Chester Quinton Bell, licensed to practice in Louisiana for almost six years, has been voluntarily suspended for 18 months following a Feb. 2 Louisiana Supreme Court ruling after an investigation into "multiple" arrests and practicing while ineligible.

Bell's suspension was retroactive to June 15, 2016, which is the date he was placed on interim suspension, according to the high court's single-page disciplinary proceeding. Bell also was ordered to pay all costs and expenses in the matter.

The high court's action followed an office of disciplinary counsel investigation into allegations that Bell "was arrested multiple times and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law during a period of ineligibility," the disciplinary proceeding said. 

Before the office of disciplinary council filed formal charges, the office and Bell submitted a joint petition for consent discipline in which Bell admitted that his conduct had violated professional conduct rules, according to the disciplinary proceeding. The high court accepted the joint petition and handed down the suspension.

Bell was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on April 26, 2012, according to his profile at the Louisiana State Bar Association's website.

In June 2016, the state Supreme Court granted an office of disciplinary counsel petition to suspend Bell on an interim basis "for threat of harm," according to a court order handed down that month. The order was effective immediately and the office of disciplinary counsel was allowed appointment of a trustee to protect the interests of Bell's clients "if appropriate."

In September 2015, Bell was listed as ineligible for unpaid disciplinary dues, unpaid state bar dues and for noncompliance with trust fund registration requirements, according to his state bar profile. In June 2016, he was listed as ineligible for noncompliance with continuing legal education requirements, according to his state bar profile.

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