On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the Supreme Court of Louisiana issued an order suspending New Orleans Attorney Sophia Juliana Johnson from the practice of law on an interim basis.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Sophia Juliana Johnson,” with case no. 2023-B-1340
In its order, the state’s highest court granted a Joint Petition for Interim Suspension filed by Johnson and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Johnson agreed to the interim suspension pending further orders from the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Rule XIX allows for an attorney’s interim suspension in cases where the attorney has engaged in serious misconduct that warrants an immediate suspension from practice. Interim suspensions are effective immediately upon order from the court.
The order does not provide details about the allegations that prompted the joint petition for Johnson’s suspension. Typically, interim suspensions are ordered when misconduct poses significant risks of harm to clients or the public and further discipline procedures are ongoing.
Johnson will remain suspended until the Supreme Court issues an additional ruling in the disciplinary matter. Attorneys suspended on an interim basis are prohibited from practicing law during the suspension. The length of the suspension and any potential sanctions will be determined through the court’s lawyer discipline process.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Johnson is a personal injury attorney in Metairie, Louisiana. She graduated from Tulane University in 2010 and acquired her law license in Louisiana that same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
