In re Brooks

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS PER CURIAM. hThe Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent neglected a legal matter, failed to communicate with a client, failed to refund the unearned portion of the fee she was paid, and failed to return a client file upon request. Following the filing of formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline, in which the parties stipulated that respondent has violated Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(f), 8.1(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Having reviewed the petition, IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Donita Yvette Brooks, Louisiana Bar Roll number 23667, be suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day. All but six months of the suspension shall be deferred, subject to respondent’s successful completion of a one-year period of supervised probation. 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.