On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the Supreme Court of Louisiana ordered the suspension of Mansfield attorney Brenda F. Ford in relation to the disciplinary charges alleging misconduct.
The case is styled “In the Matter of Brenda F. Ford” and was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), under case no. 2023-B-0073.
The charges cited Rules 1.7(a)(1), 1.7(a)(2),and 8.4(a)of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
According to the court filing, an investigation was commenced by the ODC into allegations that Ford engaged in a conflict of interest involving two concurrent clients. Ford and the ODC then submitted a joint petition for consent discipline, in which Ford admitted her misconduct.
The Court, after its review of the petition, ordered the suspension of Ford.
The Disposition reads:
“IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Joni M. Buquoi, Louisiana Bar Roll number 5685, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months. All but ninety days of this suspension shall be deferred, followed by a one-year period of probation governed by the conditions set forth in the petition for consent discipline. The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent and the ODC execute a formal probation plan. Any failure of respondent to comply with the conditions of probation, or any misconduct during the probationary period, may be grounds for making the deferred portion of the suspension executory, or imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.”
Costs and expenses incurred in the proceeding were also assessed against Ford.
Prior to the suspension, Ms. Brenda F. Ford practiced in Mansfield, Louisiana where she maintained her law firm. She graduated from Southern University Law Center. She has been licensed to practice in the State of Louisiana in 1979. Ms. Ford’s info can be found on her law firm’s website.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
