On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of Louisiana suspended attorney Clayton Paul Schnyder, Jr. from practicing law for three years due to multiple violations of professional conduct rules. The decision followed formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) concerning Schneider’s misuse of his client trust account and failure to cooperate with the ODC’s investigation.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Clayton Paul Schnyder,” with case no. 2025-B-0201.
Schnyder has a history of disciplinary issues. In 2000 and 2002, he received admonishments for failing to supervise a non-lawyer assistant and neglecting client communication, respectively. In 2006, he was suspended for one year and one day for neglecting client matters, settling a lawsuit without client consent, and not cooperating with the ODC. He was reinstated in 2011. In 2019, Schnyder faced another suspension of one year and one day, with most deferred, for mishandling his trust account and failing to assist the ODC. He regained his license in 2020.
The current case began in August 2023 when Crescent Bank reported suspicious activity in Schnyder’s trust account. The bank provided evidence of three checks: a $5,000 payment to Keith Adams for “Refund for defamation,” and two $3,000 checks to Schnyder for “Renovations” at his registered address and “Entertainment.” The ODC alleged these transactions suggested improper use of client funds, either through commingling personal funds or converting client money for personal use.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Schnyder via mail, email, phone, and in-person visits between September and November 2023, he did not respond to the ODC’s inquiries. Schnyder also failed to update his secondary registration address, which he had not used since spring 2023, and became ineligible to practice law on September 9, 2024, for unpaid bar dues and disciplinary assessments.
The ODC charged Schnyder with violating rules related to trust account management, professional registration requirements, and cooperation with disciplinary authorities. As Schnyder did not respond to the charges, the allegations were deemed admitted.
The hearing committee recommended a three-year suspension, citing his prior disciplinary record, pattern of misconduct, and lack of cooperation. The Supreme Court adopted this recommendation, ordering Schnyder to cover all costs of the proceeding.
The Disposition states:
“Upon review of the findings and recommendation of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Clayton Paul Schnyder, Jr., Louisiana Bar Roll number 24212, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Schnyder is an attorney in New Orleans, Louisiana. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 1996.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
