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Attorney Disbarred from Tennessee and Louisiana

Summary: After being disbarred from Tennessee for misappropriating funds, Louisiana decided to follow with the same discipline action.

Quenton I. White has been disbarred from Louisiana and Tennessee. The Louisiana Supreme Court made the ruling to disbar White from practicing law for the misappropriation of client funds among other violations. The Louisiana State Bar Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed the petition, which the Supreme Court approved.

The petition was brought after White was charged with misconduct in Tennessee, where he was also licensed to practice. The allegations against White include the mishandling of funds from five clients, failure to withdraw from representation, and more.

A year ago, Tennessee suspended White’s license while the conducted an investigation into the allegations. Louisiana received notice from the Tennessee court and began to “initiate reciprocal discipline.” On May 13, 2016, White was placed on an interim suspension.

Tennessee eventually found White “guilty of failing to provide competent representation to a client, failing to act with reasonable diligence in representing a client, and failing to communicate with a client.” They also found that he violated the state’s rules of professional conduct including fee arrangements, safekeeping property of clients or third persons, and obligations upon termination of the representation. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,000 and $16,667.

With the ruling from Tennessee, Louisiana gave white 30 days to explain why identical discipline was unnecessary. He failed to do so.

White was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1986 and the Tennessee State Bar in 1992.

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Amanda Griffin: