The State Bar of Texas made its April update on bar discipline, some of it extending as far back as last November.
JUDICIAL ACTIONS
Three judges were sanctioned publicly for a variety of offenses covered by the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.
Judge Gena Slaughter, 191st District Court (Dallas, Dallas County)
District Judge Gena Slaughter of Dallas failed to pay her mandatory state bar dues in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and was temporarily suspended from the practice of law in each of those years. Her repeated lack of attention to the problem attracted an inquiry from Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. That inquiry was, at first, ignored, and in May 2019 the commission began formal proceedings to remove her from office.
Following Judge Slaughter’s formal response acknowledging her lack of attention to the matter, the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct determined that Judge Slaughter should be publicly reprimanded for failing to maintain her Texas law license in good standing in violation of Canon 2A of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and Article V, § 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution. Furthermore, the Commission finds that Judge Slaughter violated Article V, §1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution, as defined by Section 33.00l(b) of the Texas Government Code, by failing to cooperate with the Commission. The Commission has taken this action pursuant to the authority contained in Article V, § l-a(8) of the Texas Constitution, in a continuing effort to promote public confidence in and high standards for the judiciary.
Judge Randy Gray, Criminal Court at Law #1 (New Braunfels, Comal County)
County Court-at-Law Judge Randy Gray was publicly warned for threatening a defendant who had asked to rescind an agreement to plead guilty to a minor drug change and, instead, requested a jury trial. Though the judge, at first, denied making the threat, he later acknowledged the misconduct.
As a result, Judge Gray was publicly warned for failing to comply with the law, failing to maintain competence in the law, and exhibiting bias by improperly attempting to impose a ten-day jail sentence on a defendant who failed to accept a plea agreement, in violation of Canons 2A, 3B(2) and 38(5) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. The Commission further concludes that Judge Gray interfered with the Commission’s investigation by attempting to influence a witness’s statement to the Commission, which constitutes willful conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of a judge’s duties, in violation of Article V, Section l-a(6) of the Texas Constitution.
Judge Navarro Campbell Cox II, 145th District Court (Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County)
In 2016 Judge Cox chastised a court-appointed attorney for having spent 10 hours of preparation for a pre-trial hearing and for requesting a psychiatric evaluation of his client. As a result of the confrontation, according to the commission, Judge Cox moved to inform the defendant that he no longer represented her and that she should “shop around” for another attorney. The judge likewise informed at least 13 defendants represented by the attorney that he was no longer representing them — without filing formal court orders of removal or withdrawal. In addition, Judge Cox removed the attorney from a list of attorneys available for court appointments.
The commission said Judge Cox’s actions violated at least eight Canons of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, as well as elements of the Texas Constitution for which he received a public reprimand.
DISBARMENT
Majd M. Ghanayem (Abilene)
(See also Suspensions below)
On December 19, 2019, Majd M. Ghanayem [#24078556], 34, of Abilene, was disbarred effective December 9, 2019. The District 14 Grievance Committee found that in 2015, the complainant hired Ghanayem to file an involuntary relinquishment of parental rights action against the biological father of her son. In representing the complainant, Ghanayem neglected the legal matter entrusted to him by failing to file a petition for an involuntary relinquishment of parental rights until March 2017. Ghanayem failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her matter and failed to promptly respond to reasonable requests for information. Ghanayem engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by misrepresenting the status of the matter to the complainant and by providing the complainant with a fraudulent order and forged signature of a judge.
Ghanayem violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), and 8.04(a)(3).
SUSPENSIONS
Majd M. Ghanayem (Abilene)
Three Cases
On December 19, 2019, Majd M. Ghanayem [#24078556], 34, of Abilene, received a 36-month fully probated suspension effective December 9, 2019. The District 14 Grievance Committee found that on November 19, 2013, the complainant hired Ghanayem to represent her father in a divorce filed in Jones County. In representing the complainant’s father, Ghanayem neglected the legal matter entrusted to him. Ghanayem failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her father’s divorce matter and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from the complainant about the status of her father’s divorce matter. Upon termination of representation, Ghanayem failed to surrender papers and property that the complainant was entitled to. Ghanayem engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by submitting a fabricated email to the State Bar of Texas in his response to the complainant’s grievance.
Ghanayem violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(3). He was ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution and $8,148 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
On December 19, 2019, Majd M. Ghanayem [#24078556], 34, of Abilene, received a 72-month fully probated suspension effective December 9, 2019. The District 14 Grievance Committee found that on September 3, 2013, the complainant hired Ghanayem for representation in her personal injury matter. Ghanayem failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her personal injury matter and failed to promptly respond to reasonable requests for information. Upon receiving funds in which the complainant had an interest, Ghanayem failed to promptly notify the complainant and failed to promptly deliver funds that the complainant was entitled to receive.
Ghanayem violated Rules 1.03(a) and 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $10,669.24 in restitution, $1,672.50 in attorneys’ fees, and $300 in direct expenses.
On December 19, 2019, Majd M. Ghanayem [#24078556], 34, of Abilene, received a 72-month partially probated suspension effective December 9, 2019, with the first six months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 14 Grievance Committee found that on January 21, 2014, the complainant hired Ghanayem to represent her and her son in a personal injury matter. Ghanayem failed to abide by the complainant’s decision whether to accept an offer of settlement of the complainant’s matter and settled the complainant’s case without the complainant’s knowledge or consent. Ghanayem failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her personal injury matter and failed to respond to reasonable requests for information. Upon receiving funds in which the complainant had an interest, Ghanayem failed to promptly notify the complainant and failed to promptly deliver funds to which the complainant was entitled. Ghanayem engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by misrepresenting the status of the case to the complainant and by submitting a settlement release to the insurance company that contained the complainant’s forged signature.
Ghanayem violated Rules 1.02(a)(2), 1.03(a), 1.14(b), and 8.04(a)(3). He was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution, $2,160 in attorneys’ fees, and $300 in direct expenses.
Patrick Cameron Murray (Lubbock)
On January 29, 2020, Patrick Cameron Murray [#24094862], 32, of Lubbock, agreed to a three-year partially probated suspension effective February 1, 2020, with the first four months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 16 Grievance Committee found that Murray neglected clients’ matters, failed to communicate with clients, failed to return the unearned portion of a fee, and failed to respond to grievances. Murray violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.03(b), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $7,963 in restitution and $1,800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
David Saenz (McAllen)
Two cases
On February 4, 2020, David Saenz [#17514700], 69, of McAllen, agreed to a six-month fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2020. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Saenz failed to supervise the conduct of his nonlawyer employee. Saenz violated Rule 5.03(a). He was ordered to pay $2,120 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
On February 4, 2020, David Saenz [#17514700], 69, of McAllen, agreed to a six-month fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2020. An investigatory panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Saenz failed to supervise the conduct of his non-lawyer employee. Saenz violated Rule 5.
Ronald T. Spriggs (Amarillo)
On January 17, 2020, Ronald T. Spriggs [#00792853], 61, of Amarillo, received a two-year fully probated suspension (January 13, 2020, through January 12, 2022). An evidentiary panel of the District 13 Grievance Committee found that Spriggs, while representing a client in a criminal proceeding, took a position that unreasonably increased the costs or other burdens of the case or that unreasonably delayed resolution of the matter. Spriggs engaged in conduct intended to disrupt the proceeding.
Spriggs violated Rules 3.02 and 3.04(c)(5). He was ordered to pay $2,000 in attorneys’ fees and $250 in direct expenses.
Everto A. Villarreal (Villareal)
On February 6, 2020, Everto A. Villarreal [#20582200], 71, of Edinburg, agreed to an 18-month fully probated suspension effective February 14, 2020. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Villarreal neglected a client’s matter, failed to keep a client reasonably informed, failed to return the client’s file, and failed to respond to the grievance. Villarreal violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8).
Marc Elliot Villarreal (Corpus Christi)
On February 18, 2020, Marc Elliot Villarreal [#00791856], 51, of Corpus Christi, agreed to a five-year partially probated suspension effective May 14, 2020, with the first 12 months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 11 Grievance Committee found that Villarreal failed to hold funds related to a representation separate from his own property and failed to deliver funds to parties entitled to receive the funds promptly. Villarreal violated Rules 1.14(a) and 1.14(b). He agreed to pay $10,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
PUBLIC REPRIMANDS
Javier Aguirre (Brownsville)
On February 6, 2020, Javier Aguirre [#24044732], 37, of Brownsville, accepted a public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Aguirre failed to supervise the conduct of his non-lawyer employee. Aguirre violated Rule 5.03(a). He agreed to pay $1,000 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
Richard Contreras (El Paso)
On February 20, 2020, Richard Contreras [#04714000], 63, of El Paso, accepted a public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 17 Grievance Committee found that Contreras represented a client in a matter and thereafter represented another person in a matter adverse to the former client when it was the same or a substantially related matter. Contreras violated Rules 1.06(b)(2) and 1.09. He agreed to pay $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
George B. Tennant Jr. (Pearland)
On February 10, 2020, George B. Tennant Jr. [#24042016], 51, of Pearland, accepted a public reprimand. The 80th District Court of Harris County found that Tennant committed professional misconduct by violating Rule 8.04(a)(7) [violating a disciplinary judgment]. Tennant was ordered to pay $400 in attorneys’ fees and expenses.