On Monday, November 7, 2022, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board ruled on charges of attorney discipline against Breaux Bridge attorney W. Glenn Soileau alleging Misconduct. 

The case is entitled “In the matter of W. Glenn Soileau” and was brought by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel. Case #22-DB-022.

The charges cited rules of professional conduct 1.2 (d), 8.4 (a, b, c), which state:

A lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows is criminal or fraudulent, but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, meaning or application of the law.

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:

(a) Violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;

(b) Commit a criminal act, especially one that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;

(c) Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

The rules of professional conduct can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing: 

The respondent was suspended for a criminal conviction for violation of the Migratory bird Treaty Act in 1998. In 2018, the respondent received an interim suspension for a threat of harm to the public relating to the instant matter. This is a report regarding the 2017 incident where the respondent was arrested for driving under the influence. Next, the committee finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent was arrested on March 2, 2018, for violating Louisiana R.S. 14:84(A) Pandering, R.S. 14:85(A) Letting Premises for Prostitution, R.S. 14: 82 (A) Prostitution, and R.S. 14:130.1(A) (1) (a) Obstruction of Justice.

On Count II, Respondent was involved in a criminal enterprise with Ms. ldalia Hotz, whom the Louisiana State police believed was distributing illegal schedule controlled dangerous substances (“CDS”) from Room 337 of the Staybridge Suites, a local hotel. Respondent admitted that he had paid for the room for Ms. Hotz. Agents found nine grams of crystal methamphetamine (methamphetamine hydrochloride) designated as a Schedule-II CDS, along with a glass smoking pipe.

The filing states:

‘The incident Report was prepared by the Lafayette Police Department. Respondent was involved in an automotive wreck while operating his 2017 Mercedes GLS sport. utility vehicle, Louisiana license plate “ONELAW” when he disregarded a red traffic signal and was struck by another vehicle. According to the police report, The respondent’s speech was slurred and he was physically unsteady. He was placed under arrest for suspicion of OWI. [FN3. Operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance.] The respondent was taken to the police department where his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealing that the Respondent had been arrested on February 28, 2013, and August 1, 2015, both for suspicion of OWI. After arrest in the instant matter, The respondent refused to provide a breath sample.’

The filing continues:

‘The affiant, Trooper Defelice, testified that Louisiana State Police (“LSP”) made contact, on the date in question, with an individual named Ms. Idalia Hotz, whom they had reason to believe was distributing illegal Schedule controlled dangerous substances (“CDS”) from Room 337 of the Staybridge Suites, a local hotel. While detained by officers in the room, Ms. Hotz received a text message on her Apple iPhone 7 cellular device directing her to “Get rid of whatever you have and hurry.” The message was sent by a contact named “Glenn” whom Ms. Hotz identified to the police as Respondent. A short time later, Respondent appeared at the hotel room and introduced himself as Ms. Hotz s attorney. Respondent admitted that he had paid for the room for Ms. Hotz and requested that the officers vacate the premises. The respondent was advised by officers of the criminal investigation underway.’

Given the deemed admitted facts and the aggravating factors (especially Respondent’s disciplinary history), the Committee finds that Respondent is ethically and morally unfit for the practice of law and that there is no reasonable expectation of significant rehabilitation in Respondent’s character in the future. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that the Respondent be permanently disbarred.

The Disposition states:

“The Committee finds that there is clear and convincing evidence to recommend permanent disbarment of the respondent stated in this opinion”

As of today, Mr. Soileau is listed on the website of the law firm The Soileau Law Firm as a practicing attorney. His info can be found online on Linkedin. Soileau practiced in Breaux Bridge, Lousiana. He has been licensed in Louisiana, license #12249.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.