On Friday, February 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana suspended attorney Michael Blake Hale for neglecting the client’s legal matters.
The case is entitled “In the matter of Michael Blake Hale” and was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel with case no. 2023-B-00041.
The charges cited Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4,1.7,1.16(d), 8.4(a),8.4(b), and 8.4(d).
Allegedly, the respondent was engaged in misconduct by neglecting two legal matters, failing to communicate with two clients, failing to return the client’s files, engaging in criminal conduct, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Consistent with the formal charges, attorney Hale and the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel submitted a Joint Petition for consent discipline, in which both parties agreed that the respondent violated the abovementioned Rules of Professional Conduct.
Consistent with these findings, the court ordered that the Petition for Consent Discipline is accepted and that the respondent, attorney Hale is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day. The court emphasized that this is retroactive to April 21, 2022, when the date of interim suspension was issued. Moreover, the court stated that prior to seeking reinstatement, the respondent shall comply with the conditions set forth in the Petition for Consent Discipline.
Mr. Hale practices in Charles, Louisiana. He is licensed in Louisiana. His info can be found on lawyers.justia.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
