2-Year Law License Suspension for Attorney Who Charged Client Usual Rate to Run Errands
A divided Louisiana Supreme Court has OK’d a recommended two-year law license suspension for an attorney who charged a client nursing home resident her usual billable rate of $125 per hour to perform non-legal services such as running errands.
Katherine M. Guste charged an unreasonable fee and took advantage of her client, the majority found in a Tuesday opinion (PDF). However, a dissenting judge said there was insufficient evidence to show that her client, who was in his 60s and suffered from Huntington’s disease, had diminished mental capacity, and said a less harsh penalty would have been sufficient.
Guste’s conduct concerning another client in an unrelated matter was also at issue in the disciplinary case.
Hat tip: Legal Profession Blog.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Suspension Recommended for Attorney Who Ran Errands for Client at $125 Per Hour”
