On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Supreme Court of Louisiana ordered the suspension of Baton Rogue attorney Todd Michael Tyson.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Todd Michael Tyson” and was brought by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel with case no. 2022-B-1607.

The Charges cited Lousiana Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f), 8.4(c), 8.1(c), and 8.4(a) which state:

Respondent failed to communicate on a fair, regular, or reasonable basis.

Respondent failed to safeguard the funds entrusted to him by placing the advanced cost deposit into his trust account and he failed to refund either the unearned fee or the advanced cost deposit.

Respondent continued to exercise dominion and control over the funds entrusted to him, thereby converting those funds to his own use.

Respondent ignored the complaint and refused to provide any response whatsoever to the concerns of the complainant in violation of his obligation to cooperate.

Respondent violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

On September 14, 2022, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee filed a report against the respondent to the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board in regard to Mr. Tyson’s misconduct. Allegedly, while representing a certain client in a criminal matter, the respondent misled the client.

The filing states:

“In July 2021, Angel Macedo hired a respondent to represent Richard Briggs in a criminal matter. She paid the respondent an S1,500.00 fee as well as an additional S1,500.00 that was earmarked for the purpose of paying a bail bond company upon the securing of a successful bond reduction for Mr. Briggs. Although the latter funds constitute an advance for costs, there is no evidence that the respondent ever placed the funds into his client’s trust account.”

The filing continues:

“Respondent misled Ms. Maccdo into believing that he had or would secure a significant reduction in the bond. He provided no such service. Mr. Briggs remained incarcerated for weeks and could not return to work. Although Mr. Briggs bonded out after the bond was reduced from $87,500.00 to $27,500.00, the reduction was not obtained through any effort on the part of the respondent but due to the fact that the district attorney independently decided not to pursue two of the original charges. The funds entrusted to the respondent were neither returned to Ms. Macedo nor used for the payment of the bond. Ms. Macedo requested a refund of the attorney’s fee and the bond payment. The respondent indicated that he would return the funds, but there is no evidence that he did so. Respondent also failed to return Ms. Macedo’s phone calls.”

Consistent with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board’s recommendation and being able to have found evidence of Professional Misconduct, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended the respondent.

The Disposition states:

“Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Todd Michael Tyson, Louisiana Bar Roll number 35407, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day. All costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against the respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court’s judgment until paid.”

As of today, Mr. Tyson is listed on the website of the law firm Todd M. Tyson & Associates as a practicing attorney. His info can be found on Linkedin. Todd attended the Southern University Law Center, graduating in 2009. He practices in Baton Rogue, Louisiana. He is licensed in Louisiana.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.