Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Professional Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances amendment to let state Supreme Court regulate out‑of‑state lawyers practicing in Louisiana
Summary
SB68, a proposed constitutional amendment, would give the Louisiana Supreme Court clearer authority to discipline out‑of‑state attorneys admitted pro hac vice and those practicing in the state; supporters said the change fills a gap that previously limited state disciplinary reach.
The Senate Judiciary A committee reported SB68 after the sponsor described it as a constitutional amendment to extend the Louisiana Supreme Court’s disciplinary authority over out‑of‑state lawyers who practice or appear in state courts.
The sponsor said current law leaves uncertainty about whether the Supreme Court can impose discipline (suspension or other sanctions) on attorneys temporarily admitted pro hac vice or on out‑of‑state lawyers practicing here without being members of the Louisiana Bar. "Right now, it's arguable that no matter what they do... they might not be subject to the disciplinary rules of the state," the sponsor said, describing problems in some parts of southwest Louisiana where out‑of‑state lawyers handled cases and local counsel lacked recourse.
Senator Carter said the bill is timely after witnessing conduct he described as egregious from pro hac vice counsel in depositions. Committee members discussed whether the proposal would extend to advertising and to remote practice; the sponsor said some constitutional and federal limits likely apply, but that the amendment would give the court authority to hold all practitioners to the same standards when they operate in Louisiana.
The committee reported SB68 favorably and the bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.
