Case ID: so2d_576/html/0997-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "CALOGERO, Chief Justice,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Terry H. SMITH, Tom L. Epperson, Paul T. Westervelt, Jr., William T. Nolan, II, Alexander Yednak, John B. Regan, Jefferson G. Parker, Constance C. Parker, C. Peck Hayne, G. Shelby Friedrichs, Edwin R. Rodriguez, Jr., and J.M. Gore Friedrichs v. CROSS MARINE, INC. and Dennis A. Cross.
    No. 91-CC-0379.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    April 5, 1991.
   In re Smith, Terry H.; Epperson, Tom L.; Westervelt, Paul T. Jr.; Nolan, William T. II; Yednak, Alexander; Regan, John B.; Parker, Jefferson G.; Parker, Constance C.; Hayne, C. Peck; Friedrichs, G. Shelby; Rodriguez, Edwin R. Jr.; Friedrichs, J.M. Gore; -Plaintiff(s); Applying for Writ of Certiorari and/or Review, Supervisory and/or Remedial Writs; to the Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, Number 90CW-1966; Parish of Orleans Civil District Court Div. “E” Number 90-6508.

Granted. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is reversed and the judgment of the district court reinstated.

CALOGERO, Chief Justice,

concurring.

Gary J. Elkins and the law firm of Elkins and Associates (collectively “Elkins”) has represented the partnership known as “Ya-houx Partners in Commendam” since 1981, and makes not even the assertion that he has withdrawn as counsel for the partnership. Applicants, several limited partners who own a majority interest in the partnership, sued the corporate general partner, Cross Marine, Inc., and its president Dennis A. Cross, for several claims related to the general partner’s alleged mismanagement of the partnership and its assets. Elkins is representing the corporate general partner and its president in this litigation. Without special authority from the general partners, a limited partner lacks the procedural capacity to sue on behalf of the partnership entity. La. C.C.P. art. 688 (see comment (c) thereunder); La.Civ.Code art. 2844. Although the partnership is not a party plaintiff, the true interests of the limited partners are aligned with the interests of the partnership, whose coffers must be enhanced to generate an advantage for the plaintiff limited partners. A conflict of interest exists in that the interests of two of Elkins’ clients are at odds; though in this litigation, Elkins formally represents only Cross and Cross Marine, who assert-edly owe the partnership, Elkins has represented and continues to represent the partnership itself in other matters. Therefore, to allow Elkins to represent Cross and Cross Marine against the plaintiff limited partners is essentially to allow him to represent the general partner in an interest contrary to the interests of the partnership itself. Under these circumstances it is my view that Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7 would require the consent of both the general partner and the plaintiff limited partners, and absent such consent, El-kins’ disqualification is mandated.