On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board recommended the suspension of Prairieville attorney Janeane Corcyca Abbott for violations of multiple rules of professional conduct,

The case is titled “In re: Janeane Corcyca Abbott” and was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), case no. 19-DB-036.

The charges cited the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (fail to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client); 1.4 (fail to communicate with client); 1.7 (conflict of interest); 3.2 (fail to expedite litigation consistent with the interest of the client); 8.1 (knowingly make false statement of material fact and fail to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in connection with a disciplinary matter); 8.4(a) (violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct);  and 8.4(c) (engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

The charges filed by the ODC were based on a complaint filed by Brooke King, who hired Abbott to represent her in a child custody and support matter. King alleged that Abbott failed to file a timely objection to a hearing officer’s recommendation in her case and subsequently filed the objection one day late. King further alleged that Aboott’s assistant sent an email to King requesting a payment of $226 to cover the fees for filing the objections, however, the objection was never filed, and King was led to believe it had been.

Based on these acts, the ODC recommended a 60-day suspension with conditions that include one year of unsupervised probation, Abbott is to attend and successfully complete the LSBA Ethics School within 12 months of her return to eligible status.

After several hearings on the matter, the hearing committee assigned to the matter found that Abbott violated the Rules of Professional Conduct as charged and recommended to the Disciplinary Board a 60-day suspension with the conditions recommended by the ODC, and also Abbott to pay the costs and expenses of the proceeding.

The Hearing Committee Report states:

“The Committee recognizes that Respondent lacked the experience and skills to practice with independence and minimal oversight. Vesting her with the responsibility to know when she should seek advice and counsel was problematic. It is clear that she was reluctant to seek advice when needed. The hearing revealed that she was in dire need of training in law office practice and management, client management, professionalism, communication skills, and general supervision. She needed mentoring. The[three-day] hearing undoubtedly established Respondent’sinexperience in each of these areas.”

On review, the Disciplinary Board agreed that the respondent had very little experience in the practice of law and was lacking guidance at the time of the misconduct.

Accordingly, the Disciplinary Board adopted the Committee’s factual findings and conclusions regarding rule violations.

The Recommendation reads:

“The Board recommends thatJaneane Gorcyca Abbott be suspended from the practice of law for sixty days with the following conditions:

(1) Upon completion of the active suspension, Respondent shall be subject to a one-year period of unsupervised probation;

(2) Within one year of the Court’s imposition of sanction, Respondent shall successfully complete the LSBA Ethics School;

(3)Any failure of Respondent to comply with the above conditions or any misconduct by Respondent during the period from the date of the Court’simposition of sanction through completion of her probationary period will be grounds for imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.”

As of today, Ms. Janeane Gorcyca Abbott is listed as a partner at Abbott Prescott Attorneys at Law, serving Prairieville. She graduated from the Southern University Law Center in 2014. Abbott has been admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2015, license no.  36189.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.