On Friday, August 25, 2023, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas disciplined attorney Bobby Ray Manning for infractions linked to mishandling his client’s trust account.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Bobby Ray Manning,” and was brought by the Commission for Lawyer Discipline with case no. 68196.
The Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline initiated a petition for reciprocal discipline against Bobby Ray Manning, a member of the State Bar of Texas, following an order per curium issued by the Supreme Court of Louisiana on June 21, 2023. In Louisiana, Manning was suspended for six months due to violations related to the mismanagement of his client’s trust account, resulting in the negligent commingling and conversion of funds. The suspension in Louisiana was deferred, subject to a one-year period of supervised probation. The Commission for Lawyer Discipline sought identical disciplinary action in Texas.
The petition states:
“Petitioner further prays that upon the trial of this matter, this Board enters a judgment imposing discipline identical with that imposed by the Supreme Court of Louisiana and that Petitioner has such other and further relief to which it may be entitled.”
Following the petition, an agreed judgment of probated suspension was issued. The agreed judgment, which was entered after a hearing before the Board of Disciplinary Appeals, stipulated that Manning be suspended for one year, with the suspension being fully probated for one year, commencing on August 25, 2023, and extending through August 24, 2024. Under this suspension, Manning must adhere to several conditions, including compliance with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Rules, and not being found guilty of any felony involving moral turpitude or any misdemeanor related to theft, embezzlement, or fraudulent misappropriation of money or property. Additionally, he is required to promptly notify the relevant authorities of any changes in his address.
The agreed judgment also highlighted that any violation of the terms and conditions of probation, as well as violations of the disciplinary order or judgment in Louisiana, could lead to a probation revocation and an active suspension. This judgment, making Manning’s suspension a matter of public record, will be published in the Texas Bar Journal. It serves as a disciplinary response to Manning’s actions in Louisiana and seeks to uphold ethical standards in the legal profession.
The Disposition states:
“It is, accordingly, ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that Respondent, Bobby Ray Manning, State Bar Card No. 24063266, is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year with the suspension being fully probated for one (1) year beginning August 24, 2023, and extending through August 25, 2024, under the following terms and conditions.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Manning practices in Monroe, Louisiana. He is licensed in Louisiana and Texas with license no. 24063266.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
