In Memoriam:

We at the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board mourn the loss this year of two exceptional colleagues. Both Thomas Walter Sanders and Homer Ed Barousse, Jr. served in the capacity of Chairman of the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Board.  It was an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to know and work with them, and we were surely fortunate to have benefitted by their leadership, guidance and friendship.

THOMAS WALTER SANDERS (1935-2020) From humble beginnings, Tom Sanders rose to become one of southwest Louisiana’s most widely respected attorneys. He served as one of the early members of the Disciplinary Board and was committed to supporting the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to regulate the practice of law through the growth and maturity of its disciplinary system. His term on the Board, including as Chairman in 1996, was an example of selfless service to others including the Court, the legal profession and the public.

HOMER ED BAROUSSE, JR. (1943-2020) In his role as Board Member and Chair of the LADB in 1997, Homer Ed Barousse, Jr. displayed an unwavering commitment to the highest ethical principles, yet his approach was tempered by common sense and compassion.  His highly intelligent, calm and stable demeanor became a source of guidance for the entire agency.  While his skill and knowledge as a lawyer and his dedication to the profession were clear to everyone who knew him, his most noteworthy trait was his absolute love and devotion to wife, his children and his entire family.

Recent Rules and Decisions

IN RE PETER BRIAN DEROUEN (Lafayette), 2020-B-00757 (9/23/20): The Court permanently disbarred the respondent for failing to communicate with clients, converting client funds, practicing law while ineligible to do so, and failing to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation. The factual allegations in the formal charges were deemed admitted pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, §11(E)(3).

IN RE DENIS COLLINS SWORDS (North Sutton, NH), 2020-B-00642 (9/23/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year, with six months deferred, for practicing law while ineligible to do so.

Consent Discipline:

IN RE JUSTIN ALSTERBERG (New Orleans), 2020-B-00801 (9/8/20): The Court suspended the respondent for six months, fully deferred, for mishandling his client trust account and failing to supervise a non-lawyer employee.

IN RE TIMOTHY FRENCH UPTON (Covington), 2020-B-00920 (9/23/20): The Court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with six months deferred, for using drugs while under monitoring by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program following his arrest on drug possession charges.

Permanent Resignation in Lieu of Discipline:

IN RE JOSEPH AIAVOLASITI KOTT (Mandeville), 2020-OB-00918 (9/23/20).

Reinstatement/Readmission Matters:

IN RE LYNDEN JAMES BURTON (New Iberia), 2020-OB-0755 (9/8/20): The Court reinstated the petitioner to the practice of law after a two-year suspension.