On Friday, March 3, 2023, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board ruled on charges of attorney discipline against Breaux Bridge attorney W. Glenn Soileau for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. 

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

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

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;

The rules of professional conduct can be found here.

The ODC, during a sworn statement with Louisiana State Police Trooper Leon Defelice on another matter involving Respondent, was notified that Soileau had been arrested for suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance on June 23, 2021.

The police investigation revealed that Soileau was driving a silver 2015 Ford F-250 truck recklessly on LA-61. The truck was reported as moving southbound on the shoulder at a very slow rate of speed. The silver Ford stayed in place when the light turned green at the next stop sign at Post Office Road. The vehicle behind the Ford sounded its vehicle horn, after which the truck began forward movement. Det. Oubre observed the truck swerve across the fog line. The truck then shifted over and began to block both lanes of traffic. Det. Oubre initiated a traffic stop at that time and informed Dispatch of the pending stop.

The investigation further revealed that upon the arrival of Acadian Ambulance, Soileau refused to be transported. Hence, Det. Oubre contacted the Louisiana State Police. When the police officers arrived on the scene, Soileau showed incoherent speech, delayed reaction, drowsiness, lack of balance, and pinpoint pupils.

The filing states:

“A search of Respondent’s truck revealed a pill bottle for Benzodiazepines. [FN3. A class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. As depressants, drugs which lower brain activity, they are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Respondent admitted to having taken one that morning. Respondent was transported to the Ascension Parish Sheriff substation for further testing. A breath test showed a 0.00% BAC reading. Blood was drawn and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for testing. A copy of Respondent’s toxicology report was attached to the ODC’s request to file formal charges. The report showed the following substances in Respondent’s blood sample at the time he was operating a motor vehicle on a Louisiana public roadway: Methamphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam, Cannabinoids (THC), Tramadol, and Cyclobenzaprine.”

In light of the foregoing facts, Hearing Committee #22 unanimously opined that Soileau violated the above-cited rules of professional conduct and recommended that, given the numerous, serious aggravating factors and complete absence of mitigating factors, the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years.

The recommendation states:

“. . . this Committee recommends that Respondent, W. Glenn Soileau, be subject to an actual suspension of three years, with no portion deferred, and that the Respondent be assessed with all costs and expenses of these proceeding, pursuant to Rule XIX, §10.1.”

Soileau, in another formal charge consisting of two counts filed by ODC on May 16, 2022, was recommended to be disbarred by Hearing Committee #31. The recommendation of disbarment was based on the Hearing Committee’s findings that Soileau was guilty of the formal charges brought against him and that he was further found to be ethically and morally unfit for the practice of law and that there is no reasonable expectation of significant rehabilitation in Soileau’s character in the future.

Mr. Soileau practices in Breaux Bridge and he has been licensed in Louisiana, license #12249.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.