On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the State Bar of Texas filed a brief in support of reciprocal discipline against attorney Manfred Max Sternberg before the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Manfred Max Sternberg,” with case no. 69413.
The brief was filed in response to Sternberg receiving a one-year suspension from practicing law in Louisiana. According to the stipulated facts, Sternberg was employed as an associate attorney at Egenberg Trial Lawyers in New Orleans shortly after graduating from law school in 2021. Though Sternberg was licensed to practice in Texas, not Louisiana, his employer asked for help handling property damage claims from Hurricane Ida. Both Sternberg and his employer believed this temporary assistance would not violate Louisiana’s rules of professional conduct.
Over the next year, Sternberg assisted Louisiana-licensed attorneys with around 161 cases involving Louisiana residents and their hurricane damage claims. However, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of Louisiana later launched an investigation after a client complaint. Their investigation found Sternberg had violated Louisiana’s Rule 5.5 by practicing law in the state without a license. In January 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order prohibiting Sternberg from seeking full admission to the Louisiana Bar or temporary admission for one year.
This prompted the Chief Disciplinary Counsel to file for reciprocal discipline in Texas based on the conclusive misconduct finding in Louisiana. Their brief argues Sternberg failed to prove any of the defenses available against reciprocal discipline under the Texas rules. It maintains a one-year active suspension in Texas is justified as identical discipline given the circumstances.
Sternberg’s response brief acknowledged the final Louisiana order but disputed claims of grave injustice or that substantially different discipline is warranted. He contended the one-year suspension would hinder his ability to develop legal skills and seek admission elsewhere.
The Board of Disciplinary Appeals will consider both briefs at a scheduled hearing to determine if Texas should impose the same discipline on Sternberg as Louisiana. A decision would provide further guidance on reciprocal discipline proceedings involving out-of-state misconduct sanctions.
According to martindale.com, Mr. Sternberg acquired his law license in Texas in 2021.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
