IN RE: Nicole E. BURDETT (2022)

Petition for interim suspension granted. See order.

ORDER

Considering the Petition for Interim Suspension filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, and the response thereto filed by respondent,

IT IS ORDERED that Nicole E. Burdett, Louisiana Bar Roll number 32972, be and she hereby is suspended from the practice of law on an interim basis pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 19, pending further orders of this court. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 26(E), this order is effective immediately.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that necessary disciplinary proceedings be instituted in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, §§ 11 and 19.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, this _ day of _, 2022.

FOR THE COURT:

/s/ _

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

I would defer ruling on the Office of Disciplinary Counsel's petition for interim suspension of respondent to allow United States District Judge Lance Africk sufficient time to decide a pending motion for judgment of acquittal in the criminal case against respondent. Notably, one week after the jury rendered a guilty verdict on four counts charged in the federal indictment, Judge Africk initiated a telephone conference with counsel in the federal proceeding and requested special briefing as to whether the government had successfully met its burden of proof at trial.

Weimer, C.J., dissents and assigns reasons. Hughes, J., would deny. Griffin, J., would deny pending a ruling by Judge Africk.