Opinion
No. 2000-OB-2721
June 29, 2001. Rehearing Denied August 31, 2001.
ON APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE BAR.
Thomas B. Broussard, Paul J. Hebert, Esq., Counsel for Applicant.
Harry J. Philips, Jr., Esq., Daniel A. Webb, Esq., Counsel for Respondent.
The Committee on Bar Admissions opposed the application of petitioner, Thomas B. Broussard, to sit for the Louisiana Bar Examination based on character and fitness concerns. We subsequently granted petitioner permission to sit for the bar, with the condition that upon his successful completion of the exam, he may apply to the court for the appointment of a commissioner to take character and fitness evidence. In re: Broussard, 00-2135 (La. 7/19/00), 766 So.2d 1261. Petitioner thereafter successfully passed the essay portion of the bar exam, and upon his application, this court appointed a commissioner to take evidence and report to this court whether petitioner has the appropriate character and fitness to be admitted to the bar and allowed to practice law in the State of Louisiana. We also authorized the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to conduct an investigation into petitioner's qualifications to be admitted to the bar. After hearing evidence in the case, the commissioner filed his report with this court, recommending that petitioner be conditionally admitted to the practice of law. On its own motion, this court ordered the matter docketed for oral argument.
After hearing oral argument, reviewing the evidence, and considering the law, we conclude 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(E).
Accordingly, it is ordered that the application for admission is denied.