On Monday, October 16, 2023, the Hearing Committee of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended sanctions against Attorney Desha Gay for numerous violations of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is titled ‘In Re: Desha Gay’ with case no. 23-DB-o34.
Attorney Gay was charged with conduct involving failure to cooperate with the investigation, violating client confidentiality, and acts of dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in violation of Rules 1.8(c), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and (c) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
On May 15, 2023, the charges were filed by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) to which Attorney Desha Gay failed to respond within the given timeframe resulting in the issuance of an order on June 28, 2023, deeming the charges admitted. Attorney Gay subsequently filed a motion with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board to recall the order considering the charges admitted. However, the motion was denied by Hearing Committee No. 15 on August 3, 2023.
Several attempts were made by the ODC to contact Attorney Gay, including sending certified mail, emails, and phone calls. However, Ms. Gay either failed to respond or provided incomplete and insufficient documentation in her responses. Despite attempts to communicate and provide opportunities for Desha Gay to answer and provide requested documentation, she failed to comply. There were instances where she indicated that she would provide the requested information but did not follow through.
Attorney Gay’s lack of cooperation and failure to comply with the disciplinary process showed severe breaches of professional conduct, including dishonesty and failure to document expenses and maintain client confidentiality.
Based on the information presented, the Hearing Committee recommends a six-month fully deferred suspension to be followed by a one-year probation that will include attendance in the Louisiana State Bar Association Ethics School for six months.
The recommendation reads:
“It is the conclusion and recommendation of this Committee that the following sanction be appropriate:
Six-month suspension, fully deferred, followed by a one-year probation that will include attendance at Louisiana State Bar Association Ethics School within the first six months of the probation period. Respondent is also assessed with all costs and expenses of the proceeding pursuant to Rule XIX, §10.1.”
According to Avvo, Attorney Desha Gay practices in Brusly, Louisiana. She attended the Southern University Law Center, graduating in 2014. She acquired her license to practice in Louisiana in 2016.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
