IN RE: LUKE JOSEPH THIBODEAUX (2025)

Conditional reinstatement granted. See per curiam.

JMG

JDH

PDG

CRC

Supreme Court of Louisiana September 16, 2025

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

NO. 2025-OB-0854

IN RE: LUKE JOSEPH THIBODEAUX, II

ON APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT

PER CURIAM

Petitioner, Luke Joseph Thibodeaux, II, was suspended from the practice of law in Louisiana. In re: Thibodeaux, 22-1487 (1/18/23), 352 So. 3d 965. Upon completing the term of his suspension, respondent filed an application for reinstatement. The hearing committee chair recommended petitioner be reinstated subject to petitioner's compliance with his Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (“JLAP”) contract.

After considering the record, we will accept the recommendation and reinstate petitioner to the practice of law, subject to the conditions set forth in the hearing committee's recommendation. We also find it appropriate to impose additional conditions related to regular reporting to and monitoring by the ODC.

DECREE

Upon review of the recommendation of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Luke Joseph Thibodeaux, II, Louisiana Bar Roll number 32287, be immediately reinstated to the practice of law in Louisiana, subject to the requirements that he (i) fully comply with the conditions of his February 24, 2025 JLAP contract; and (ii) file a semi-annual report with the ODC detailing reasonable efforts to resolve his outstanding tax liabilities and submit proof when no outstanding liability remains. It is further ordered that JLAP shall file a report with the ODC detailing petitioner's compliance with the monitoring contract on at least a quarterly basis during the term of the contract. The ODC shall promptly report any violations of the JLAP contract to this court. The ODC shall further report to this court any lack of diligence by petitioner toward clearing the outstanding tax liabilities within a reasonable time. All costs of these proceedings are assessed against petitioner.

In 2020, petitioner was placed on interim suspension. In re: Thibodeaux, 20-1133 (La. 10/6/20), 302 So.3d 519. The incident related to an alcohol-induced altercation involving his now ex-wife. He was ultimately suspended by this court for two years, with all but one year and one day deferred, following his plea of no contest to charges of domestic battery and simple battery. In re: Thibodeaux, 22-1487 (1/18/23), 352 So.3d 965. Thus, he now applies for reinstatement to the practice of law. I would deny reinstatement.

I believe there are two issues that warrant denial of reinstatement. First, there is a substantial IRS lien based on attorney fees that he initially chose not to disclose during divorce proceedings. He has yet to resolve the lien with the IRS. Next, it was originally recommended that petitioner attend inpatient alcohol treatment. However, he refused to comply with this recommendation, ultimately consenting to an intensive outpatient program instead. I do not believe that petitioner should be allowed to determine the criteria for his reinstatement.

I would condition petitioner's reinstatement on two things. First, I would require acknowledgment from the IRS that the lien on unreported income has been satisfied. Second, I would require either completion of the inpatient treatment originally recommended or submission of an affidavit from the doctor who made that initial recommendation indicating it is no longer necessary. In the absence of completion of both conditions, I would deny reinstatement. For these reasons, I dissent.

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