Opinion ID: 1727168
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Counts III and IVThe Unauthorized Practice of Law Matters

Text: Respondent's disbarment in Patrick I became effective on July 16, 1999. Thereafter, respondent opened an office in Ragley, Louisiana under the trade name The Legal Research Center, and proceeded to represent and provide legal advice to clients. [2] One such client was Louis Burge, whom respondent represented in connection with a worker's compensation claim. Respondent provided legal advice to Mr. Burge and attempted to negotiate a settlement on his behalf in 2000. Likewise, in 2000, Horace Douglas retained respondent to represent him in a criminal matter. Mr. Douglas paid respondent $1,000 for the representation. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct in the Burge and Douglas matters constitutes the unauthorized practice of law, which is a crime pursuant to La. R.S. 37:213. [3] The ODC further alleges that respondent violated the following provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules 5.5(a) (engaging in the unauthorized practice of law), 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act reflecting adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer), and 8.4(c).