IN RE: Byron C. WILLIAMS (2022)

Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that while respondent was serving as a judge, he engaged in the unwelcome touching of several women and acted inappropriately in the courtroom.¹ Respondent and the ODC then submitted a joint petition for consent discipline. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Byron C. Williams, Louisiana Bar Roll number 19215, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court's judgment until paid.

FOOTNOTES

1.   On July 2, 2018, while respondent was a judge, this court disqualified him from exercising any judicial function on an interim basis, based upon complaints of judicial misconduct. In re: Williams, 18-1000 (La. 7/2/18), 248 So. 3d 1285. No proceedings occurred in the Judiciary Commission before respondent resigned his judicial office on February 12, 2020, and thus jurisdiction of this matter passed to the ODC under Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 6.

Genovese, J., would reject joint petition for consent discipline. Crain, J., would reject joint petition for consent discipline. McCallum, J., would reject joint petition for consent discipline.