The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended New Iberia attorney Alicia Johnson-Butler from practicing law for one year and one day.   

The court ruled that Butler “violated duties owed to her client and to her client’s healthcare providers.” 

All but 6 months of the suspension shall be deferred if Butler attends Trust Accounting School, and not undertake the representation of any clients in civil cases of any kind without supervision. 

In October 2013, the ruling states that a client hired Butler to represent her on a contingency fee basis in a claim for damages arising out of injuries she had sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

The client told disciplinary officials that Butler did not properly communicate with her and settled the matter without her knowledge or consent.

The opinion stated that Butler was grossly negligent and caused medical harm to her client.

Butler eventually satisfied her obligations to disburse the balance of settlement funds, the opinion stated.