IN RE: COMMITTEE ON BAR ADMISSIONS CFN-119320 (2024)

Petition to extend conditional admission status granted. See per curiam.

SJC

JDH

JTK

WJC

JBM

PDG

Supreme Court of Louisiana November 06, 2024

11/06/24

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

NO. 2023-BA-1308

IN RE: COMMITTEE ON BAR ADMISSIONS CFN-119320

BAR ADMISSIONS PROCEEDING

PER CURIAM

On October 5, 2023, we granted a joint petition for conditional admission in this matter. In re: Committee on Bar Admissions CFN-119320, 23-1308 (La. 10/5/23), 370 So. 3d 1054. Pursuant to our order, petitioner was placed on probation for twelve months, during which he was required to provide evidence to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”), on at least a quarterly basis, demonstrating his compliance with an installment plan entered into with the IRS. This condition was incorporated into a conditional admission monitoring agreement which petitioner executed with the ODC on October 25, 2023.

In November 2023, petitioner lost his job. He remained unemployed until March 2024. During this time (and for several months thereafter), petitioner was unable to make any payments to the IRS.

Prior to the expiration of the probationary period, the ODC filed a motion seeking to extend petitioner's conditional admission for a period of one year. In support, the ODC asserts the extension is warranted to allow the agency a meaningful opportunity to monitor petitioner's progress related to his IRS debt, and other financial obligations, now that he is employed. Petitioner has no objection to the ODC's request.

In light of these circumstances, we agree that the requested extension is appropriate. Accordingly, we will extend petitioner's conditional admission for an additional year, subject to all conditions of probation imposed by our October 5, 2023 order and by the October 25, 2023 conditional admission monitoring agreement.

DECREE

Considering the Recommendation to Extend Conditional Admission Status filed by the ODC, it is ordered that the twelve-month period of probation imposed upon petitioner in In re: Committee on Bar Admissions CFN-119320, 23-1308 (La. 10/5/23), 370 So. 3d 1054, be extended for a period of one year. All conditions of probation imposed by our October 5, 2023 order and by the October 25, 2023 conditional admission monitoring agreement shall remain in full force and effect during the extended probationary period. Should petitioner fail to make a good faith effort to satisfy these conditions, or should he commit any misconduct during the period of probation, his conditional right to practice may be terminated or he may be subjected to other discipline pursuant to the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement.

Weimer, C.J., dissents and assigns reasons.