On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana granted the application for reinstatement of disbarred attorney Gerald F. Palmer.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Gerald F. Palmer,” with case no. 2023-OB-1545.
Palmer had been disbarred after pleading guilty in 1993 to conspiracy to defraud insurance companies and their investors in federal court. He alerted the Office of Disciplinary Counsel about his misconduct in 1999 and cooperated with federal prosecutors for years. Palmer was suspended on an interim basis in 1999 and later disbarred by the Supreme Court, retroactively to the interim suspension date.
In May 2023, Palmer applied for readmission to the bar, asserting he had complied with the readmission criteria. The ODC did not take a position on the application. After a formal hearing, the hearing committee recommended readmitting Palmer. Neither Palmer nor the ODC objected to the recommendation.
In a per curiam ruling, the Supreme Court found clear and convincing evidence that Palmer met the readmission requirements. Noting Palmer’s guilty plea, disbarment, and the hearing committee’s unopposed recommendation, the Court voted to readmit him to the practice of law in Louisiana.
Justice Crichton concurred in part but dissented in part, agreeing with readmission but arguing Palmer should be required to take additional continuing legal education courses due to his nearly 25 years out of practice. Justice Crain dissented from the readmission without providing further reasoning.
The Disposition states:
“Upon review of the recommendation of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Gerald F. Palmer, also known as Jerry F. Palmer, Louisiana Bar Roll number 14290, be immediately readmitted to the practice of law in Louisiana. All costs of these proceedings are assessed against petitioner.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Palmer is an attorney in Metairie, Louisiana. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 1984.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
