IN RE: COMMITTEE ON BAR ADMISSIONS CFN-665798 (2019)

BAR ADMISSIONS PROCEEDING

Petitioner successfully passed the Louisiana Bar Examination. However, the Committee on Bar Admissions (“Committee”) advised petitioner that it was unable to certify him for admission to the bar on character and fitness grounds.

Petitioner then applied to this court for admission to the practice of law. We remanded the matter to the Committee on Bar Admissions Panel on Character and Fitness to conduct an investigation and appointed a commissioner to take character and fitness evidence. Following the proceedings, the commissioner filed his report with this court, recommending that petitioner's application for admission be denied. Neither party objected to this recommendation.

After reviewing the evidence and considering the law, we conclude that, at this time, petitioner has failed to meet his burden of proving that he has “good moral character” to be admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association. See Supreme Court Rule XVII, § 5(D). Accordingly, it is ordered that the application for admission be and hereby is denied. In accordance with Supreme Court Rule XVII, § 9(D)(13), petitioner may not re-apply for admission until he can demonstrate a change in circumstances and in no event less than one year from the date of this judgment.

ADMISSION DENIED.

Given the short time frame between actions taken by Petitioner to address the issues related to character and fitness and Petitioner's application for admission, I agree with the Commissioner that Petitioner failed to demonstrate clear and convincing proof of rehabilitation. For these reasons, Petitioner's application for admission should be denied at this time. A new application should demonstrate sobriety, and efforts to address financial debts.

PER CURIAM

Johnson, C.J., concurs and assigns reasons.