IN RE: COMMITTEE ON BAR ADMISSIONS CFN-519391 (2025)

After reviewing the evidence and considering the law, we conclude petitioner is eligible to be admitted to the practice of law in Louisiana.

ADMISSION GRANTED.

While acknowledging and being appreciative of the petitioner's military service to our country, the Committee on Bar Admissions declined to certify petitioner for admission to the bar, citing five counts of criminal charges against him in Canada for smuggling, possession of firearms without authorization and/or a license, and making false statements. Petitioner now applies to this court seeking admission to the bar, or alternatively, the appointment of a commissioner to take character and fitness evidence. I would grant his alternative request and appoint a commissioner given his guilty plea to reduced charges.

This incident should be carefully investigated before a decision is made whether petitioner should be admitted to the bar. Petitioner represents that he did not have time to ship his firearms from Louisiana to his new post in Alaska (he had 3 1/212 months) and that his firearms were unloaded (one was fully loaded). Petitioner also does not explain why he failed to heed the explicit firearms advisory in his Army orders, or why he did not simply avoid traveling across the Canadian border in the first place. Considering petitioner's explanation for the incident, I would appoint a commissioner to do a full investigation and compile a more complete record for this court's review.

I dissent, as I would remand to the Panel on Character and Fitness for the appointment of a commissioner.

PER CURIAM

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