Updated — Appeals Court Upholds Suspension of Dallas Lawyer David Finn Over Alcohol-Fueled Misconduct 

An appellate panel has upheld the 12-month suspension of Dallas criminal defense lawyer David Finn from practicing in the Northern District of Texas “after several instances of inappropriate behavior and twice failing to show up for a client’s sentencing hearing, mostly due to a problem with substance abuse.”

In an eight-page opinion, three judges of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a March 2022 decision by U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn, then chief judge in the Northern District, to convene a three-judge panel to review Finn’s conduct. Judge Lynn’s order also immediately suspended him from practicing in the district, as “emergency relief.” (On May 11, 2022, Judge Lynn relaxed her order, allowing Finn to appear before the court provided he had co-counsel.)