On Monday, August 26, 2024, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended denying the petition for reinstatement of Jamar Brooks Akai Myers-Montgomery to the Louisiana State Bar.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jamar Brooks Akai Myers-Montgomery,” with case no. 23-DB-072.
Myers-Montgomery had his conditional admission to practice law revoked by the Louisiana Supreme Court in September 2020 due to failures to comply with child support obligations and other financial responsibilities. He then attempted to seek readmission directly with the Supreme Court, but his request was denied with instructions to fully comply with the child support orders issued by the Los Angeles Superior Court and, if submitting a new request, would meet all the requirements of Rule XIX, Section 24.
In December 2023, Myers-Montgomery filed again an application for reinstatement with the Disciplinary Board. A hearing was held on June 11, 2024, in Baton Rouge where Myers-Montgomery represented himself and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel opposed his reinstatement.
The Hearing Committee considered testimony from Myers-Montgomery, a forensic auditor with the ODC, the mother of Myers-Montgomery’s child, and a representative from the Louisiana State Bar Association. The Committee also reviewed numerous exhibits entered by both sides relating to Myers-Montgomery’s legal and financial history.
In its 31-page report, the Hearing Committee found that Myers-Montgomery failed to meet several of the criteria required by the Louisiana Supreme Court’s rules for reinstatement. Specifically, he did not show full compliance with prior disciplinary orders, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law after his license was revoked, failed to satisfy MCLE requirements, and did not pay currently owed Bar Association dues.
The Committee also found that Myers-Montgomery made false statements in court filings related to his child support obligations. While he was making the $500 monthly payments as ordered, the amount was based on inaccurate financial information he provided. Additionally, he failed to notify the court when he later obtained a higher-paying job in Washington.
In its factual findings, the Committee outlined Myers-Montgomery’s legal and employment history. This included deficiencies with state and federal tax filings, unpaid student loans, and unpaid collections accounts. The Committee expressed concern over his financial management and failure to make good-faith efforts to resolve outstanding obligations.
When considering Myers-Montgomery’s competence to practice law, the Committee noted his poor presentation at the reinstatement hearing, inability to properly handle exhibits, and failure to meet deadlines in the post-hearing process. Based on the lack of evidence that he kept up with legal developments since 2020, the Committee found he did not satisfy the burden of proving competence.
Given the numerous rule violations and factual findings outlined, the Hearing Committee recommended that Myers-Montgomery’s application for reinstatement be denied. The report has been submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court justices, who will make the final decision on Myers-Montgomery’s privilege to once again practice law in Louisiana.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Myers-Montgomery is an attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 2019.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
