A local attorney who was suspended for two years for neglecting his clients’ legal matters has been conditionally reinstated to practice law.

Richard C. “Ric” Oustalet of Jennings was granted a two-year supervised probation with conditions Wednesday by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Oustalet was suspended for two years in May 2019 for violating professional conduct rules by neglecting his clients’ legal matters, failing to communicate with his clients, relocating and accepting a position as an attorney with the state without giving notice to his clients, continuing to represent clients while employed with the state and failing to return unearned fees and clients files upon request.

Oustalet filed an application for reinstatement last July asserting that he had complied with the reinstatement criteria set forth by the Supreme Court. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel objected to the reinstatement in September and the matter was referred for a formal hearing before a hearing committee.

The hearing committee recommended Oustalet be reinstated to the practice of law, subject to a two-year period of supervised probation. The committee also recommended a limitation upon Oustalet’s practice.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel objected to the recommendations and Oustalet urged that the recommended limitation on his practice not be adopted.

The matter was reviewed by the disciplinary board, who recommended that Oustalet be reinstated to the practice of law, subject to a two-year period of probation with conditions. Among the conditions, Oustalet must present proof to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel  that he is current with the filing all state and federal tax returns and has paid all taxes owed through 2020.

In addition, Oustalet must complete the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Ethics School and any mandatory continuing legal education hours within one year of reinstatement. He must also attend six hours of continuing legal education in the area of law office management and all other mandatory continuing legal education hours required to be completed by lawyers.

His right to practice law may be terminated if he fails to comply with the conditions of his probation or commits any misconduct prior to the termination of the probationary period.