On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended the suspension of attorney Jonathan Wayne Brown’ law license.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jonathan Wayne Brown,” with case no. 23-DB-057.
The charges cited Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 8.1(c), and 8.4(a).
The disciplinary case stems from a complaint filed in August 2022 by one of Brown’s former clients, Alexis Currie. Currie hired Brown in October 2020 to represent her in modifying a custody order so she could legally take her daughter to live with her in Texas. Currie paid Brown a $3,000 retainer fee.
However, over the next two years, Brown failed to make meaningful progress on Currie’s case. His only action was sending a letter to the child’s father notifying him of the move to Texas. Currie complained that despite multiple promises from Brown, he never secured a court date to modify the custody order. Currie terminated Brown’s services in March 2022 and requested a refund of any unearned portion of the retainer.
When Brown did not respond, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel opened an investigation. Though granted several extensions by the ODC, Brown repeatedly failed to provide a written response to the complaint. He was eventually subpoenaed in January 2023 to give a sworn statement.
In his statement, Brown admitted neglecting Currie’s case by failing to file for the custody modification. He estimated $1,500 of Currie’s $3,000 retainer was unearned and promised to return it within two weeks. However, Brown failed to refund any money.
Based on the facts deemed admitted due to Brown’s lack of cooperation, the disciplinary board hearing committee found he violated professional conduct rules regarding diligence, communication with clients, refunding unearned fees, and cooperating with disciplinary investigations.
The committee noted several aggravating factors against Brown including substantial legal experience since being admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 2011, indifference towards making restitution to Currie, and obstructing the disciplinary process. The only mitigating factor was an absence of prior discipline.
Taking into account similar past cases, the committee recommended Brown be suspended from practice for one year and one day, with all but 90 days deferred, followed by one year of probation with practice mentoring. The committee also suggested Brown make full restitution to Currie within 90 days or face the deferred suspension.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Brown is an attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 2011.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
