On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended the approval of a petition for reinstatement filed by Donald R. Dobbins, a lawyer previously suspended from practice. Dobbins was initially suspended for three years on May 13, 2021, with the suspension retroactively effective from January 29, 2020. The suspension stemmed from a disciplinary action related to his professional conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Donald R. Dobbins,” with case number 24-DB-026.
Dobbins submitted his application for reinstatement on October 22, 2024. Following a review, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) expressed support for the petition on January 16, 2025. The case was then forwarded to the Adjudicative Chair, who signed a ruling on January 17, 2025, recommending that Dobbins’ petition be granted.
However, the Louisiana Supreme Court intervened on April 1, 2025, remanding the case back to the Board for further proceedings. This order was a response to a request from the ODC to stay consideration of the reinstatement petition, filed in early March 2025. Subsequently, the Board issued an order on April 9, 2025, asking the ODC for an updated response within thirty days.
On May 1, 2025, the ODC submitted a second concurrence to Dobbins’ petition. After reviewing the updated records and the second concurrence, the Board officially approved Dobbins’ petition on May 8, 2025, recommending that he be reinstated to practice law.
The Board’s decision marks a significant step in Dobbins’ journey toward regaining his legal license, pending final approval from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
According to Avvo, Mr. Dobbins is a criminal defense lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 1991.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
