Opinion ID: 469831
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: analysis

Text: 4 In Younger v. Harris the Supreme Court made clear that a federal court should not interfere with an ongoing state criminal prosecution. This abstention doctrine has been applied to attorney-disciplinary proceedings. Middlesex Ethics Committee v. Garden State Bar Association, 457 U.S. 423, 102 S.Ct. 2515, 73 L.Ed.2d 116 (1982). Under Younger, the federal court should avoid impeding the Texas state authorities in a disciplinary proceeding involving an attorney, absent allegations and proof of bad faith. Bishop v. State Bar of Texas, 736 F.2d 292 (5th Cir.1984). The bad faith exception is narrow and is to be granted parsimoniously. Hefner v. Alexander, 779 F.2d 277 (5th Cir.1985). 5 Giving Hensler's complaint the most liberal reading, it appears beyond doubt that [he] can prove no set of facts in support of his claim that would entitle him to relief. Bishop, 736 F.2d at 295. The allegations in his pleadings show, beyond doubt, that this is not a case for application of the narrow bad-faith exception. Hensler admits the basic facts which have triggered the investigation by the grievance committee. He concedes that he lost contact with a number of his clients and it is precisely that matter which is being reviewed by the committee. The state has an obvious and compelling interest in regulating the practice of law and controlling unethical activities by the practitioners admitted to its bar. We will not interfere with that activity, absent a strong showing of constitutional infraction. That reluctance, together with the clear teachings of Younger, mandates a dismissal of this action. 6 Our reference to Younger does not imply that the state bar and the grievance committee were not entitled to eleventh amendment immunity, see Krempp v. Dobbs, 775 F.2d 1319, 1321 (5th Cir.1985); rather, Younger answers appellant's claim that he should have been allowed to amend to make parties defendant the individuals who were the members of the grievance committee and the officers and directors of the state bar. 7 The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.