On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana ruled on the recommendation of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to deny Metairie attorney Cynthia Ann Langston Sternberg’s petition for disability inactive status and that she be returned to active status from interim disability inactive status.
The case, titled In Re: Cynthia Ann Langston Sternberg was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC). Case No. 2022-B-0215.
According to the filing:
“The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) filed two sets of formal charges against respondent, Cynthia Ann Langston Sternberg. On February 1, 2022, respondent filed a petition requesting that this court transfer her to disability inactive status on the ground she was unable to assist in the defense of the pending disciplinary charges. On February 2, 2022, we issued an order transferring respondent to interim disability inactive status pending a hearing on her claim of inability to defend these charges.”
Respondent did not appear at the scheduled hearing. Hence, failing to satisfy her burden of proof. The hearing committee’s recommendation is for the Court to deny respondent’s petition.
The filing continues:
“Prior to action by this court on the recommendation, respondent supplemented her earlier filing with a“Petition for Permanent Resignation from the PracticeofLawin Lieu of Discipline.” The ODC has concurred in the petition.
The Court, having reviewed Respondent’s petition, accepted the Petition for Consent Discipline, and stated:
“Although respondent has previously raised questions over her ability to defend these proceedings, we believe her sworn representations in the affidavit of consent as well as the recommendation of the hearing committee that she be returned to active status demonstrate she is competent to request that she be allowed to permanently resign from the practice of law in lieu of discipline.”
The Order reads:
“For the reasons assigned it is ordered that Cynthia Ann Langston Sternberg, also known as Cynthia Ann Langston, Louisiana Bar Roll number 20912, be transferred from interim disability inactive status to active status and that her petition for permanent resignation in lieu of discipline is hereby granted. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 20.1 and Rule 5.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, she shall be permanently prohibited from practicing law in Louisiana or in any other jurisdiction in which she is admitted to the practice of law; shall be permanently prohibited from seeking readmission to the practice of law in this state or in any other jurisdiction in which she is admitted, and shall be permanently prohibited from seeking admission to the practice of law in any jurisdiction”
Ms. Cynthia Ann Langston Sternberg, attended Louisiana State University, graduating in 1991. She had practiced in Metairie, Louisiana. She has been licensed in Louisiana, license no. 20912. Her info can be found on Lawyers.com
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
