Opinion
2023-B-01094
10-03-2023
IN RE: STEPHEN STERLING, III
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING
IN RE: Disciplinary Counsel - Applicant Other; Stephen Sterling, III - Applicant Other; Joint Petition for Consent Discipline;
PER CURIAM
Joint petition for consent discipline accepted.
JTG
JLW
JDH
SJC
WJC
JBM
PDG
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent neglected a legal matter, failed to communicate with a client, failed to reduce a contingency fee agreement to writing, failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation, and misled a client about the status of her settlement. Respondent failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. Following 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 Stephen Sterling, III, Louisiana Bar Roll number 27298, be suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day. All but six months of this suspension shall be deferred, followed by a two-year period of probation subject to the conditions set forth in the petition for consent discipline. The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent 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.