In Re: G. Karl Bernard

Supreme Court of Louisiana
January 10, 2024
Chief Deputy Clerk of Court
For the Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana
IN RE: G. KARL BERNARD
No. 2023-B-01134
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_ _ _ _
I
N RE: Disciplinary Counsel - Applicant Other; G. Karl Bernard - Applicant Other;
Joint Petition for Consent Discipline;
_ _ _ _ _ _
January 10, 2024
Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.
Crichton, J., dissents and would reject the petition for consent discipline and
assigns reasons.
Crain, J., dissents and assigns reasons.
Griffin, J., dissents for reasons assigned by Crichton, J.
JTG
JLW
JDH
JBM
01/10/2024 "See News Release 001 for any Concurrences and/or Dissents."

S
UPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA
NO. 20
23-B-1134
I
N RE: G. KARL BERNARD
AT
TORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING
P
ER CURIAM
Th e Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation
into allegations that respondent grossly mishandled his client trust account, resulting
in the conversion of client and third- party funds, and represented a party although
he realized that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest. Prior to the filing of
formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent
discipline. Having reviewed the petition,
IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that
G. K
arl Bernard, Louisiana Bar Roll number 24294, be and he hereby is suspended
from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day. All but thirty days of
this suspension shall be deferred, followed by a two-year period of supervised
probation governed by the conditions set forth in the petition for consent discipline.
The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent, the probation
monitor, 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.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are
assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1,
with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court’s
judgment until paid.
01/10/24