Judicial Actions
Gena Slaughter (191st District Judge, Dallas County)
On October 11, 2019, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public reprimand to Gena Slaughter, judge of the 191st Civil District Court in Dallas, Dallas County. Subsequent to the commission’s issuance of the sanction, the judge requested the appointment of a special court of review, in review of the commission’s decision, pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code §33.034.
James Oakley (County Judge, Burnet County)
On October 25, 2019, the Special Court of Review issued a public admonition to James Oakley, county judge, Burnet County, on matters appealed from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct proceedings in Special Court of Review Opinion, Docket No. SCR 19-0002, In Re Inquiry Concerning Honorable James Oakley.
Disbarment
Stacey Jennifer Strong (McKinney)
On September 19, 2019, Staci Jennifer Strong [#24037564], 46, of McKinney, was disbarred, effective September 13, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 1 Grievance Committee found that beginning in 2011, Strong represented her husband in a collection suit filed by the Highlands Bank of Dallas, which resulted in a judgment being entered against Strong’s husband. During the course of post-judgment collection efforts by the bank, Strong engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Strong violated Rule 8.04(a)(3). She was ordered to pay $1,262.50 in attorneys’ fees and $399.50 in direct expenses.
Resignations
Christopher James Norman (Killeen)
On October 1, 2019, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted the resignation, in lieu of discipline, of Christopher James Norman [#24060342], 37, of Killeen. At the time of Norman’s resignation, nine disciplinary cases were pending against him, allegations that Norman neglected his clients’ legal matters, failed to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of a matter, failed to promptly reply to reasonable requests for information, and further failed to return client files and unearned fees.
Norman violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.14(a), 1.14(b), 1.14(c), 8.01(a), 8.04(a)(2), and 8.04(a)(3).
Melynda G. Pearson (Texarkana)
On October 1, 2019, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted the resignation, in lieu of discipline, of Melynda G. Pearson [#00787534], 51, of Texarkana. At the time of Pearson’s resignation, there were 14 pending matters against her alleging Pearson neglected cases, failed to communicate, failed to return client’s files, failed to return unearned fees, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. Pearson also failed to file responses to the complainants’ grievances with the State Bar of Texas.
Pearson violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.03(b), 1.14(a), 1.14(b), 1.15(d), 3.03(a)(5), 8.04(a)(3), 8.04(a)(7), 8.04(a)(8), and 8.04(a)(11).
Suspensions
Richard R. Alamia (Edinburg)
On September 26, 2019, Richard R. Alamia [#00964200], 73, of Edinburg, accepted a 12-month fully probated suspension effective August 1, 2020. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Alamia failed to keep a client reasonably informed, failed to safeguard client funds in a trust or escrow account, and failed to render a full accounting of client funds.
Alamia violated Rules 1.03(b), 1.14(a), and 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $1,800 in restitution.
Kelley Lavone Austin (Sugar Land)
On October 7, 2019, Kelley Lavone Austin [#24042529], 47, of Sugar Land, accepted a six-month fully probated suspension. An evidentiary panel of the District 5 Grievance Committee found that Austin failed to promptly deliver to a third person funds that the third person was entitled to receive.
Austin violated Rule 1.14(b). She was ordered to pay $1,000 in attorneys’ fees.
Elizabeth A. Exley (Houston)
On October 24, 2019, Elizabeth A. Exley [#24008031], 48, of Houston, received a 90-day fully probated suspension effective November 1, 2019. The 190th Civil Court of Harris County found that in 2010, Exley failed to disclose to the defense her willingness to give favorable sentencing recommendations on behalf of two testifying witnesses with pending criminal charges based on their cooperation during a murder trial.
Exley violated Rule 3.09(d). She was ordered to pay $1,265.15 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Elijah Gooden III (Houston)
On October 14, 2019, Elijah Gooden III [#08146400], 58, of Houston, accepted a three-year fully probated suspension effective November 1, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Gooden failed to hold funds belonging in whole or in part to his client in a separate trust account, failed to promptly deliver entitled funds to his client and third persons, and failed to keep funds that both he and third persons claimed an interest in separate until there was an accounting and severance of their interest. During his representation of his client, Gooden engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Gooden violated Rules 1.14(a), 1.14(b), 1.14(c), and 8.04(a)(3). He was ordered to pay $1,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Michael Lake Mattson (Houston)
On October 3, 2019, Michael Lake Mattson [#24030007], 49, of Houston, accepted a one-year fully probated suspension effective October 1, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Mattson failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his legal matter and to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information and failed to withdraw from representing his client when Mattson’s psychological condition materially impaired his fitness to represent his client.
Mattson violated Rules 1.03(a) and 1.15(a)(2).
Douglas Matthew McMaster (Brownsville)
On October 7, 2019, Douglas Matthew McMaster [#13786020], 56, of Brownsville, agreed to an eight-year partially probated suspension effective August 15, 2019, with the first four years actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that McMaster neglected a client’s matter, failed to keep a client reasonably informed, failed to return unearned portions of fees, and engaged in the practice of law while his law license was suspended.
McMaster violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(11). He was ordered to pay $1,050 in restitution and $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Derek Alfonso Quinata (El Paso)
On October 17, 2019, Derek Alfonso Quinata [#24072292], 39, of El Paso, agreed to a three-year fully probated suspension effective September 20, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 17 Grievance Committee found that Quinata failed to respond to the grievance.
Quinata violated Rule 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $400 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Zenaida Sanchez (Alice)
On October 28, 2019, Zenaida Sanchez [#17573800], 59, of Alice, accepted a nine-month fully probated suspension effective November 15, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 11 Grievance Committee found that Sanchez failed to respond to a grievance in a timely manner.
Sanchez violated Rule 8.04(a)(8).
Brittany Lea Scaramucci (Valley Mills)
On October 28, 2019, Brittany Lea Scaramucci [#24061388], 36, of Valley Mills, received a one-year fully probated suspension effective November 1, 2019. An investigatory panel of the District 8 Grievance Committee found that the complainant hired Scaramucci to represent him in a divorce. In preparing for trial, the complainant agreed to provide a potential witness with a copy of a journal his wife kept regarding her prior marriage. Scaramucci sent the witness a link to the complainant’s entire Dropbox file, rather than providing only the journal. As a result, the witness had access to the complainant’s confidential information, including financial records, credit card numbers, bank account information, and Social Security numbers.
Additionally, the complainant gave Scaramucci a check in the amount equal to the parties’ 2017 income tax refund. The funds were to be held in trust until the court determined how the refund was to be divided between the parties. However, prior to the final hearing on November 2, 2018, Scaramucci withdrew the funds from her trust account and applied the funds to the attorney fees she claimed the complainant owed her without the complainant’s affirmative consent. The complainant terminated Scaramucci on December 4, 2018, and requested Scaramucci return the funds, as his wife had already received her half. Scaramucci failed to return the funds to the complainant.
Scaramucci violated Rules 1.05(a), 1.14(b), and 1.14(c). She was ordered to pay $1,693 in restitution and $1,915.41 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Francis I. Spagnoletti (Houston)
On September 30, 2019, Francis I. Spagnoletti [#18869600], 65, of Houston, accepted a four-year partially probated suspension effective October 1, 2019, with the first 12 months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that in representing certain clients, Spagnoletti failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the conduct of a non-lawyer at his firm was compatible with his professional obligations, and Spagnoletti permitted the non-lawyer’s conduct, that if engaged in by a lawyer, would have been a violation of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
Spagnoletti violated Rules 5.03(a) and 5.03(b)(1). He was ordered to pay $8,722.50 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
Andrew David Vaughn (Canton)
On September 9, 2019, Andrew David Vaughn [#24056764], 38, of Canton, received a two-year partially probated suspension effective March 1, 2020, with the first 12 months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 1 Grievance Committee found that Vaughn neglected the legal matter entrusted to him by failing to complete any legal work on behalf of his client, failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his case, and failing to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from his client. Vaughn failed to hold funds belonging to his client that were in Vaughn’s possession in connection with the representation separate from his own property. Vaughn represented his client while he was actively suspended from the practice of law and failed to notify his client that his license to practice law was suspended.
Vaughn violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.14(a), 8.04(a)(7), and 8.04(a)(10). He was ordered to pay $1,600 in attorneys’ fees and $603 in direct expenses
On 19, 2019, Andrew David Vaughn [#24056764], 38, of Canton, received a three-year partially probated suspension effective October 13, 2019, with the first 12 months actively served and the remainder probated. An eviden- tiary panel of the District 1 Grievance Committee found that Vaughn neglected the legal matter entrusted to him, failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of her case, and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from his client. Vaughn failed to surrender papers and property to which his client was entitled. Vaughn represented his client while he was actively suspended from the practice of law and failed to notify his client that his license to practice law was suspended.
Vaughn violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), 8.04(a)(7), and 8.04(a)(10). He was ordered to pay $1,980 in attorneys’ fees and $822 in direct expenses.
Arthur G. Vega (San Antonio)
On August 7, 2019, Arthur G. Vega [#20533600], 67, of San Antonio, received a 24-month partially probated suspension effective September 1, 2019, with the first six months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 10 Grievance Committee found that Vega failed to hold client’s funds in a trust account, failed to deliver client’s funds, and, upon termination of the representation, failed to refund unearned portions of fees.
Vega violated Rules 1.14(a), 1.14(b), 1.14(c), and 1.15(d). He was ordered to pay $11,000 in restitution and $7,747.95 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
L. Bruce Lambert
On September 27, 2019, L. Bruce Lambert [#00792973], 63, of Fort Worth, received a six-month probated suspension effective September 4, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 7 Grievance Committee found that in representing the complainant in a divorce case, Lambert neglected the legal matter entrusted to him, failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her legal matter, and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from the complainant.
Lambert violated Rules 1.01(b)(1) and 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $2,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
On September 27, 2019, L. Bruce Lambert [#00792973], 63, of Fort Worth, received a 24-month probated suspension effective September 4, 2019. An evidentiary panel of the District 7 Grievance Committee found that Lambert failed to timely furnish to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel a response or other information as required by the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Lambert did not in good faith timely assert a privilege or other legal ground for failure to do so.
Lambert violated Rule 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $3,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Public Reprimands
Tyesha Yvette Elam (Houston)
On September 23, 2019, Tyesha Yvette Elam [#24026819], 47, of Houston, accepted a judgment of public reprimand. An investigatory panel of the District 5 Grievance Committee found that Elam failed to keep her client reasonably informed about the status of the matter and failed to abide by her client’s decisions concerning the objectives and general methods of representation, as well as whether to accept an offer of settlement.
Elam violated Rules 1.02(a)(1), 1.02(a)(2), and 1.03(a). She was ordered to pay $1,000 in attorneys’ fees
Thomas Christopher Lewis (Dallas)
On October 7, 2019, Thomas Christopher Lewis [#24059224], 49, of Dallas, agreed to a public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that in October 2016, Lewis was hired to represent the complainant in a guardianship matter pertaining to the complainant’s father. Lewis failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her legal matter.
Lewis violated Rule 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $2,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
Carlos Dantes Mejias Jr. (Houston)
On October 7, 2019, Carlos Dantes Mejias Jr. [#24094841], 31, of Houston, accepted an agreed judgment of public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Mejias assisted or counseled his client to engage in conduct that Mejias knew was criminal or fraudulent. Furthermore, Mejias failed to hold funds belonging in whole or in part to his client in a separate trust or escrow account and failed to promptly deliver funds to his client that the client was entitled to receive.
Mejias violated Rules 1.02(c), 1.14(a), and 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $1,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
Kenneth Aghadi Nnaka (Houston)
On October 16, 2019, Kenneth Aghadi Nnaka [#24032796], 50, of Houston, accepted an agreed judgment of public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Nnaka entered into an arrangement for, charged, or collected an unconscionable fee from his client.
Nnaka violated Rule 1.04(a). He was ordered to pay $750 in attorneys’ fees
Byron R. O’Neal (Houston)
On September 24, 2019, Byron R. O’Neal [#24046546], 42, of Houston, accepted an agreed judgment of public reprimand. An investigatory panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that O’Neal failed to abide by his client’s decision and he accepted an offer of settlement without his client’s approval. O’Neal failed to keep his client informed about the status of his case and did not comply with reasonable requests for information.
O’Neal violated Rules 1.02(a) and 1.03. He was ordered to pay $1,140 in restitution
Nemuel E. Pettie (Haltom City)
On October 15, 2019, Nemuel E. Pettie [#15858440], 64, of Haltom City, received a public reprimand. An investigatory panel of the District 7 Grievance Committee found that in July of 2014, the complainant hired Pettie for representation in a personal injury matter. Pettie prepared a letter of representation on or about September 8, 2014, requesting records related to the complainant’s personal injury matter. In representing the complainant, Pettie thereafter neglected the legal matter entrusted to him by failing to perform legal work on the complainant’s case.
Pettie violated Rule 1.01(b)(1). He was ordered to pay $500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses
Gregory Thomas Van Cleave (San Antonio)
On October 17, 2019, Gregory Thomas Van Cleave [#24037881], 41, of San Antonio, agreed to a public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 10 Grievance Committee found that Van Cleave neglected a client’s matter and failed to keep a client reasonably informed.
Van Cleave violated Rules 1.01(b)(1) and 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.