Louisiana Supreme Court again suspends New Orleans attorney Robert Jenkins

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Longtime New Orleans criminal defense attorney Robert Jenkins has been suspended from the practice of law by the Louisiana Supreme Court for the second time in three years.

Jenkins, 66, was disbarred from practicing law for one year and one day in a unanimous decision by the state Supreme Court on June 20. Attorneys in Louisiana who have been licensed for more than one year are effectively disbarred and must apply for readmission after the disbarment expires.

According to court documents, Jenkins admitted to violating four rules of professional conduct while on probation before the state Supreme Court, which suspended him for six months in April 2021 over allegations of misconduct.

The court’s June 20 order states that an investigation by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel found that Jenkins failed to notify a client of his 2021 suspension, failed to cease representing his client and filed two false affidavits with the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Five judges agreed with the new suspension, while two others – William J. Crain and Jay B. McCallum – dissented, saying they would reject the new disciplinary measure as too lenient.

Jenkins did not respond to Fox 8’s request for comment.

Jenkins rose to prominence in the city’s courtrooms by representing high-profile clients such as former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, who were convicted in corruption cases.

He also represented businessman Jason Adams, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after his passenger, Kristi Lirette, was killed when Adams drove a Lamborghini Huracan at high speed while drunk and crashed it into a flood wall on Tchoupitoulas Street in 2016.

Jenkins was also a fixture on local television, appearing as a legal expert on WDSU.

The Louisiana Supreme Court first suspended Jenkins in April 2021 after receiving complaints that he accepted payments from convicted felons but failed to pursue their appeals, failed to communicate with his clients, failed to refund unearned fees and failed to properly terminate representation of his clients.

Jenkins admitted these violations and was suspended for one year and one day, but the Supreme Court unanimously stayed the suspension for up to six months. After the six-month suspension, Jenkins was also given a two-year suspended sentence.

“Any failure by the defendant to comply with the terms of probation or any misconduct during the period of probation may be grounds for making the deferred portion of the suspension enforceable or for imposing additional disciplinary measures, as appropriate,” the court warned in that April 2021 decision.

Jenkins has practiced law in Louisiana for 35½ years.

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