On Monday, June 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of Louisiana suspended attorney Myles Julian Johnson for negligence in representing clients.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Myles Julian Johnson,” and was brought by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel with case no. 2023-B-0480.
The suspension stems from disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) based on discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of Washington. The disciplinary actions in Washington were prompted by multiple grievances filed against Johnson, alleging neglect of cases, failure to communicate with clients, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary investigations.
In Washington, Johnson was suspended for failing to comply with requests for information and documents from the disciplinary counsel. Johnson argued that the suspension was not a disciplinary sanction, but the Louisiana Supreme Court determined it was appropriate to impose reciprocal discipline.
The filing states:
“The WODC sent respondent two notices of the grievance, but he failed to respond. On November 15, 2022, the WODC issued a subpoena to the respondent to provide a deposition on January 5, 2023, and to produce all records related to his representation of Mr. Simms. Although the respondent accepted service of the subpoena on December 7, 2022, he emailed the WODC on January 4, 2023 to advise he would be unable to appear for his deposition the next day due to health issues. Respondent also indicated he would p rovide the WODC with a letter from his doctor.”
The filing continues:
“Respondent also indicated he would provide the WODC with a letter from his doctor. The WODC requested that the respondent sign medical release forms. Respondent failed to provide the WODC with any medical records from his doctor or signed medical release forms. On February 3, 2023, the respondent informed the WODC he intended to hire counsel and would sign the medical release forms. The WODC never received a notice of appearance from an attorney on the respondent’s behalf, and the respondent never answered Mr. Morrison’s grievance or signed the requested medical release forms.”
In sum, the court found that it is appropriate to defer to the Washington judgment imposing discipline upon Johnson. Accordingly, Johnson was reciprocally disciplined and temporarily suspended from practicing law by the Supreme Court of Louisiana.
The Disposition states:
“Considering the Petition to Initiate Reciprocal Discipline Proceedings filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, respondent’s opposition filed thereto, and the record filed herein, it is ordered that respondent, Myles Julian Johnson, Louisiana Bar Roll number 29921, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law on an interim basis pending further orders of this court. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, 26(E), this order is effective immediately.”
Attorney Johnson practices in Tacoma, Washington. Johnson is licensed in Washington and Louisiana. The attorney’s info can be found on opengovwa.com.
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
