NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Disbarred Lafayette attorney Harold D. Register Jr. faces possible permanent disbarment following an Aug. 27 Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) recommendation to the state Supreme Court over allegations he converted more than $85,000 in client funds.
In its 28-page recommendation, the LADB also recommended Register be ordered to pay $25,500 in restitution in four client matters and that he provide an accounting in a fifth client matter "and make appropriate restitution to him for the settlement funds he is owed."
The LADB also recommended Register be ordered to pay all costs and expenses in the disciplinary proceedings against him.
Eight members of the LADB concurred in the recommendation, which was signed on their behalf by adjudicative committee member Dominick Scandurro Jr. LADB member Melissa L. Theriot recused herself from the recommendation.
Register was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on Sept. 18, 1985, according to his profile at the Louisiana State Bar Association's website.
The LADB's recommendation follows a hearing committee's legal conclusions and its own recommendation filed in November about allegations that Register kept fees but never rendered services and did not disburse settlement proceeds in the six client matters.
"There are multiple offenses, reflecting a pattern of neglect and conversion, which [Register] attempted to hide through avoidance, lack of communication, misrepresentation and forgery," the hearing committee said in its recommendation. "[Register] has expressed no remorse for the harm done to his clients and has made no efforts at restitution. [Register] benefited from his misconduct, establishing a selfish motive. [Register] has not participated in any of the investigations or with these disciplinary proceedings."
The formal charges had been filed against Register in March 2018. Register failed to fail an answer to the formal charges against him, which were deemed admitted in May 2018. The office of disciplinary counsel filed its submission on sanction the following June, according to the LADB's recommendation.