Opinion ID: 1153611
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Counts I, III, and IV The Long Matter

Text: Respondent represented Julian E. Long in litigation involving the contested ownership of stock in Long's Preferred Products, Inc., a closely-held family corporation. Julian E. Long v. Linda Long Minton, No. 204,289 on the docket of the 9th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Rapides, Judge B. Dexter Ryland presiding. [2] In April 2004, while the litigation was ongoing, respondent's client's son, Julian W. Dooksie Long, gave respondent an unsigned Act of Donation, in draft form, which purported to evidence Linda Long Minton's intent to divest herself of the stock at issue. It was later determined that this document was the work product of Mrs. Minton's counsel and had been taken from her file without her knowledge or consent. [3] According to Dooksie Long, however, the document had appeared in the mail at his office in an unmarked envelope with no return address. Respondent did not ask Dooksie Long for any further explanation of how he had come to gain possession of the unsigned Act of Donation, nor did he return the document to opposing counsel. Rather, respondent took advantage of the unauthorized disclosure by submitting the Act of Donation to Judge Ryland as a supplemental exhibit after the trial of the matter was concluded and the evidence closed. A short time later, Dooksie Long gave respondent a second document, an undated typewritten note which urged Mrs. Minton and her husband to destroy material evidence. The note was signed Larry, leaving the reader to presume the signature was that of Mrs. Minton's counsel, Alexandria attorney Larry Rivers. [4] Dooksie Long informed respondent that he had found the note folded in a plain envelope which was stuck in the door of his office and that he had no idea who had put it there. Once again, respondent did not challenge the highly questionable circumstances under which Dooksie Long had obtained the note, nor did he offer Mr. Rivers the opportunity to explain the note or to challenge its authenticity. Instead, respondent went to see Judge Ryland. [5] During the meeting, which Mr. Rivers did not participate in or know of, respondent advised Judge Ryland of the existence and import of the note, emphasizing that it appeared to implicate Mr. Rivers in an effort to destroy material evidence. Following this ex parte communication with respondent, Judge Ryland announced in open court on May 11, 2004 that he would recuse himself from further participation in the Long case. Over respondent's vehement objection, Judge Ryland then granted a continuance of the trial date and ordered that another judge be appointed to hear the case. After Judge Ryland left the courtroom, but while others were still present, respondent was heard to remark angrily that Dexter has no balls, he has no balls at all. That's his problem, he just has no balls. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in Count I (the Act of Donation) constitutes a violation of Rule 4.4 (respect for rights of third persons) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in Count III (the ex parte communication with Judge Ryland) constitutes a violation of Rules 3.5 (impartiality and decorum of the tribunal) and 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). Finally, the ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in Count IV (the comments made about Judge Ryland) constitutes a violation of Rules 8.2(a) (making a false statement concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge) and 8.4(d).