586 Texas Bar Journal • July 2015 texasbar.com

On March 19, 2015, the StateCommission on Judicial Conductissued a public reprimand and orderof additional education to Teresa M.Melendrez, a justice of the peace ofPrecinct 4, Place 1 in Eagle Pass,Maverick County. Melendrez violatedCanons 2A, 3B(2), and 6C(2) of theTexas Code of Judicial Conduct. Pur-suant to this order, Melendrez mustobtain eight hours of instruction witha mentor in addition to her requiredjudicial education in fiscal year 2015.

On April 24, 2015, the State Com-mission on Judicial Conduct issued apublic warning and order of additionaleducation to Michael Thomas Seiler,judge of the 435th District Court inConroe, Montgomery County. Seilerviolated Canons 3B(4), 3B(5), 3B(10),4A(1), and 4A(2) of the Texas Codeof Judicial Conduct and Article V§1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution.Pursuant to this order, Seiler mustobtain four hours of instruction witha mentor judge in addition to hisrequired judicial education in fiscalyear 2015.

DISBARMENTS

On March 17, 2015, Hugh Mur-rell Hodges Jr. [#09767000], 70, ofDallas, was disbarred. An evidentiarypanel of the District 6 GrievanceCommittee found that the complainanthired Hodges to represent the com-plainant’s son in a criminal matter.Hodges engaged in the practice oflaw when his right to practice hadbeen suspended under the terms of adisciplinary judgment; engaged inthe practice of law when his right topractice had been administrativelysuspended for failure to comply withArticle XII of the State Bar Rulesrelating to mandatory continuinglegal education; and engaged in con-duct involving dishonesty, fraud,

deceit, or misrepresentation by notinforming the complainant and thecomplainant’s son that he was noteligible to practice law.

Hodges violated Rules 8.04(a)(3),8.04(a)(7), and 8.04(a)(11). He wasordered to pay $1,500 in restitutionand $1,516.45 in attorneys’ fees anddirect expenses.

On May 22, 2015, Charles RayJordan [#11006000], 69, of Seguin,was disbarred. The District 11-2Grievance Committee found thatJordan violated a disciplinary judg-ment, engaged in the practice of lawwhile his law license was suspended,engaged in conduct involving deceitor misrepresentation, and failed torespond to the grievance.

Jordan violated Rules 8.04(a)(3),8.04(a)(7), 8.04(a)(8), and 8.04(a)(11)and was ordered to pay $3,100 inrestitution and $6,750.68 in attorneys’fees and direct expenses.

RESIGNATIONS

On June 2, 2015, the SupremeCourt of Texas accepted the resigna-tion in lieu of discipline of Angus K.McGinty [#13632900], 51, of SanAntonio. At the time of resignation,there was one disciplinary actionpending, alleging that McGinty, asjudge of the 144th District Court ofBexar County, asked for, accepted,and agreed to accept gifts, payments,and things of value from a criminaldefense lawyer. In exchange for thegifts, payments, and things of value,it is alleged that McGinty madefavorable rulings for the benefit ofthe criminal defense lawyer and/orthe defense lawyer’s clients. It is fur-ther alleged that McGinty failed todisclose the receipt of the gifts, pay-ments, things of value, and/or bene-fits he accepted and that McGintyfailed to inform the appropriate dis-

JUDICIAL ACTIONS

On March 9, 2015, the State Com-mission on Judicial Conduct issued apublic warning to Carlos Cortez,former judge of the 44th Civil Dis-trict Court in Dallas, Dallas County.Cortez violated Canon 2A of theTexas Code of Judicial Conduct andArticle V §1-a(6)A and Article V §1-a(8) of the Texas Constitution.

On March 13, 2015, the State Com-mission on Judicial Conduct issued apublic admonition to Nora Longoria,a justice of the 13th Court of Appealsin Edinburg, Hidalgo County. Longoriaviolated Canon 2B of the Texas Codeof Judicial Conduct and Article V §1-a(6)A and Article V §1-a(8) of theTexas Constitution.

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texasbar.com/tbj Vol. 78, No. 7 • Texas Bar Journal 587

ciplinary authority of the defenselawyer’s conduct with the tribunal. Itis alleged that McGinty violated Rules8.03(a) and 8.04(a)(1)-(a)(4).

On April 28, 2015, the SupremeCourt of Texas accepted the resigna-tion in lieu of discipline of FrederickJ. O’Laughlin [#15241770], 61, ofDallas. At the time of his resignation,there were pending disciplinary actionsalleging that O’Laughlin neglectedthe legal matters entrusted to him byhis clients, failed to respond to hisclients’ requests for information re-garding the status of their matters,failed to return documents belongingto the clients, and failed to timelyfurnish to the Office of Chief Disci-plinary Counsel responses or otherinformation as required by the TexasRules of Disciplinary Procedure.

O’Laughlin violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), 1.14(b), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8).

On May 12, 2015, the SupremeCourt of Texas accepted the resigna-tion in lieu of discipline of John HaroldRisley [#16941150], 50, of Houston.At the time of Risley’s resignation, anorder of deferred adjudication had beenentered in the 176th Criminal Dis-trict Court of Harris County, whereinRisley pled guilty to misapplicationof fiduciary property of an elderlyperson regarding an amount less than$100,000—a first-degree felony—andwas placed on community supervi-sion for five years. Risley was furtherordered to pay $227 in restitution and$9,325.55 in attorneys’ fees. Risley wasfurther ordered to surrender his lawlicense and not practice law as a con-dition of community supervision.This conviction would subject Risleyto compulsory discipline.

On April 28, 2015, the SupremeCourt of Texas accepted the resigna-tion in lieu of discipline of ArmandoRoberto Villalobos [#00788584], 47,of Brownsville. At the time of Villa-lobos’s resignation, a judgment in a

failed to comply with the request. Inher response to the grievance, Youngrepresented to the Office of ChiefDisciplinary Counsel that she includeda billing statement and refund to thecomplainant with the complainant’scopy of the response. No billing state-ment or refund was ever received bythe complainant.

In another matter, the complainanthired Young for a divorce. The com-plainant attempted to contact Youngto ascertain the status of her case, butYoung failed to respond. The com-plainant contacted the Travis CountyDistrict Clerk’s Office and learnedthat Young had not filed the petitionfor divorce. The complainant sentYoung a letter terminating the repre-sentation and requesting a refund ofunearned fees and the return of thecomplainant’s file. Young failed tocomply with the request. Young fur-ther failed to furnish written responses

criminal case had been entered inthe U.S. District Court for theSouthern District of Texas, holdingsession in Brownsville, wherein Villa-lobos was found guilty of count 1—participating in conduct and affairsof a criminal enterprise, the activitiesof which affected interstate and for-eign commerce through a pattern ofracketeering activity (under theRacketeer Influenced and CorruptOrganizations Act); count 2—con-spiracy to participate in conduct andaffairs of a criminal enterprise, theactivities of which affected interstateand foreign commerce through a pat-tern of racketeering activity; count4—extortion (under color of officialright) and aiding and abetting; count5—extortion (under color of officialright) and aiding and abetting; count6—extortion (under color of officialright) and aiding and abetting; andcount 9—extortion (under color ofofficial right) and aiding and abet-ting. He was committed to the cus-tody of the Federal Bureau of Prisonsto be imprisoned for 156 months oneach count to be served concurrently.The respondent was ordered uponrelease from imprisonment to be onsupervised release for three years oneach count to be served concurrently,to perform 150 hours of communityservice, and to pay an assessment of$600, a fine of $30,000, and restitu-tion of $339,000. This convictionwould subject Villalobos to compulsorydiscipline.

On June 2, 2015, the SupremeCourt of Texas accepted the resigna-tion in lieu of discipline of Lisa MarieYoung [#24066321], 48, of Austin.In one matter, the complainant hiredYoung for a modification of a childsupport/visitation order. The com-plainant attempted to contact Youngto ascertain the status of her case, butYoung failed to respond. The com-plainant terminated the representa-tion and requested a billing statementand a refund of unearned fees. Young

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588 Texas Bar Journal • July 2015 texasbar.com

Dallas County found that Cantrellcommitted professional misconduct byviolating Rules 1.02(a)(2) [a lawyershall abide by a client’s decisionswhether to accept an offer of settle-ment], 1.03(a) [a lawyer shall keep aclient reasonably informed about thestatus of a matter and promptly com-ply with reasonable requests for infor-mation], and 1.04(d) [upon conclusionof a contingent fee matter, the lawyershall provide the client with a writtenstatement describing the outcome ofthe matter and, if there is a recovery,show the remittance to the client andthe method of its determination].

Cantrell was ordered to pay $2,250in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.He did not file an appeal.

On May 21, 2015, John HatchettCarney [#03832200], 60, of Dallas,received a four-year partially probatedsuspension effective July 1, 2015, withthe first two years actively served andthe remainder probated. The District6 Grievance Committee found thatCarney failed to hold funds belongingin whole or in part to clients and thirdpersons that were in Carney’s posses-sion separate from Carney’s own prop-erty. Carney failed to disburse funds ina trust account only to those personsentitled to receive them by virtue ofthe representation or by law.

Carney violated Rules 1.14(a) and1.14(c). He was ordered to pay$5,065 in attorneys’ fees and $775.96in direct expenses.

On April 29, 2015, Susan H.Durham [#06281600], 63, of Houston,received a 24-month partially probatedsuspension effective May 1, 2015, withthe first 12 months actively suspendedand the remainder probated. An evi-dentiary panel of the District 6Grievance Committee found that onor about October 3, 2012, the com-plainant hired Durham to representher in a divorce action. In represent-ing the complainant, Durham neg-lected the legal matter entrusted to

Albertson violated Rules 1.03(a)and 8.04(a)(11). He was ordered topay $1,276.40 in attorneys’ fees anddirect expenses.

On May 4, 2015, Olivero E.Canales [#03737200], 63, of Laredo,accepted a one-year fully probatedsuspension effective July 1, 2015.The District 12 Grievance Commit-tee found that Canales neglectedclient matters, failed to keep clientsreasonably informed, and failed toreturn unearned fees.

Canales violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), 1.03(b), and 1.15(d) andwas ordered to pay $500 in attorneys’fees and direct expenses.

On April 27, 2015, Garry PhilipCantrell [#00789200], 56, of Dallas,received a three-month fully probatedsuspension effective April 27, 2015.The 162nd Judicial District Court of

to two complaints as directed. Young violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),

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SUSPENSIONS

On May 6, 2015, Raymond B.Albertson [#00971600], 53, of FortWorth, agreed to a three-month pro-bated suspension effective May 1,2015. An evidentiary panel of theDistrict 7 Grievance Committeefound that Albertson failed to keepthe complainant reasonably informedabout the status of the civil matter byfailing to inform the complainant ofthe motion for summary judgment.Albertson engaged in the practice oflaw when he was administrativelysuspended for noncompliance withthe Supreme Court rules concerningmembership dues, the attorney occu-pation tax, and continuing legal edu-cation requirements.

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texasbar.com/tbj Vol. 78, No. 7 • Texas Bar Journal 589

her by failing to provide legal servicesand failing to file the divorce peti-tion. Durham failed to promptlycomply with reasonable requests forinformation from the complainantabout the divorce case. Durham alsofailed to hold separate from Durham’sown property those funds belonging tothe complainant that were in Durham’spossession in connection with therepresentation. Upon termination ofrepresentation, Durham failed torefund advance payments of fees thathad not been earned. She engagedin conduct involving dishonesty,fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation byattempting to have the complainantsign a fraudulent affidavit of indigence.

Durham violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), 1.14(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(3).She was ordered to pay $1,365 inrestitution and $1,400 in attorneys’fees and direct expenses.

On May 28, 2015, PascualMadrigal [#12802150], 60, of SanAntonio, accepted a six-month fullyprobated suspension effective June 1,2015. The District 10 GrievanceCommittee found that in an immi-gration representation, Madrigalfailed to keep a client reasonablyinformed, failed to return a clientfile, failed to return an unearned fee,failed to exercise independent judg-ment and render proper advice, andviolated the advertising rules by fail-ing to have prior approval for his lawfirm’s website.

Madrigal violated Rules 1.15(d),1.03(a), 1.03(b), 2.01, 7.02(a)(3),and 7.07(c).

On May 28, 2015, Pascual Madrigal[#12802150], 60, of San Antonio,accepted a six-month fully probatedsuspension effective June 1, 2015.The District 10 Grievance Commit-tee found that Madrigal failed toreturn a client file.

Madrigal violated Rule 1.15(d).

On August 5, 2014, Howard W.

accepted a two-year partially probatedsuspension effective June 1, 2015,with the first year actively suspendedand the remainder probated. An evi-dentiary panel of the District 4Grievance Committee found that inrepresenting two clients, Stanleyneglected the legal matters entrustedto her, failed to keep her clients rea-sonably informed about the status oftheir legal matters and to complywith reasonable requests for informa-tion, and upon termination of repre-sentation, failed to refund advancepayments of fees that had not beenearned. Stanley also failed to timelyfurnish to the Office of Chief Disci-plinary Counsel a response or otherinformation as required by the TexasRules of Disciplinary Procedure.

Stanley violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8). Shewas ordered to pay $1,500 in restitu-tion, $1,250 in attorneys’ fees, and

Rubinstein [#17361900], 68, of PalmBeach Gardens, Florida, received atwo-year probated suspension. The98th Civil District Court of TravisCounty found that Rubinstein vio-lated Rules 3.03(a)(1) [a lawyer shallnot knowingly make a false state-ment of material fact or law to a tri-bunal], 8.04(a)(3) [a lawyer shall notengage in conduct involving dishon-esty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresenta-tion], 8.05(a) [in addition to beinganswerable for his conduct occurringin this state, any such lawyer alsomay be disciplined in this state forconduct occurring in another juris-diction or resulting in lawyer disci-pline in another jurisdiction, if it isprofessional misconduct under Rule8.04], and 8.04(a)(1) [a lawyer shallnot violate the disciplinary rules].

On May 7, 2015, Erin ElizabethStanley [#24059264], 32, of Houston,

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590 Texas Bar Journal • July 2015 texasbar.com

bated suspension effective April 1,2015. In October 2012, the com-plainant hired Vincent for represen-tation in a civil matter. In repre-senting the complainant, Vincentneglected the legal matter entrustedto him by failing to appear at thecourt’s final setting for trial. Vincentfailed to promptly comply with rea-sonable requests for informationfrom the complainant about his civilmatter. In addition, Vincent failed totimely furnish to the Office of ChiefDisciplinary Counsel a response orother information as required by theTexas Rules of Disciplinary Proce-dure or assert any grounds for his fail-ure to do so.

Vincent violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), and 8.04(a)(8). He wasordered to pay $500 in restitutionand $2,686.23 in attorneys’ fees anddirect expenses.

PUBLIC REPRIMANDS

On May 20, 2015, Robert JamesFord [#00798184], 52, of San Anto-nio, accepted a judgment of public rep-rimand. The District 10-3 GrievanceCommittee found that Ford failed tokeep a client reasonably informed, tohold client funds in a trust accountseparate from his own property, and topromptly deliver funds to parties enti-tled to receive funds.

Ford violated Rules 1.03(a) and1.14(a)-(c) and was ordered to pay$800 in attorneys’ fees and directexpenses.

On May 7, 2015, Earl M. Herring[#09534140], 53, of Eagle Pass, accepteda judgment of public reprimand. The293rd District Court of MaverickCounty found that Herring violatedRule 5.03(a) [a lawyer having directsupervisory authority over the non-lawyer shall make reasonable effortsto ensure that the person’s conduct iscompatible with the professional ob-ligations of the lawyer].

Herring was ordered to pay $800 inattorneys’ fees. TBJ

$280 in direct expenses.

On May 20, 2015, Karyn AlexiaThomas [#24070736], 36, of Dallas,received a 12-month fully probatedsuspension effective June 1, 2015. Anevidentiary panel of the District 1Grievance Committee found thatThomas neglected the legal matterthat the complainant entrusted to her.In addition, Thomas failed to keepthe complainant reasonably informedand failed to promptly comply withhis reasonable requests for informa-tion. Thomas failed to respond to thecomplainant’s grievance.

Thomas violated Rules 1.01(b)(1),1.03(a), and 8.04(a)(8). She wasordered to pay $1,500 in restitutionand $1,422 in attorneys’ fees.

On April 15, 2015, Paul ThomasVincent [#24060777], 41, of Waxa-hachie, received a one-year fully pro-

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