On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of Louisiana suspended attorney Drew M. Louviere from practicing law for one year and one day following formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC). Louviere faced allegations of professional misconduct stemming from his representation of a client in a criminal case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Drew M. Louviere,” with case no. 2025-B-0225.
In January 2022, Louviere was hired by the family of Steve Derozal Williams, who had been convicted of second-degree murder in Caddo Parish. The family paid Louviere $15,000 to represent Williams at sentencing and to handle post-conviction relief or appeals.
According to court documents, Louviere performed minimal work on the case, filing only a motion to enroll as counsel, two motions to continue sentencing, a motion for a new trial, and a motion for appeal. Williams was sentenced to life in prison, and his new trial motion was denied. Louviere failed to pay the required appeal costs, resulting in the appeal never being perfected. He also did not obtain the trial transcript as promised, despite repeated requests from the client’s family for updates. Louviere neither terminated the representation nor refunded any portion of the fee.
In January 2024, Williams filed a complaint with the ODC, seeking the return of the fee and his client’s file. The ODC filed formal charges against Louviere in August 2024, alleging violations of several Rules of Professional Conduct, including failure to act with diligence, failure to communicate with a client, failure to refund unearned fees, failure to expedite litigation, and engaging in dishonest conduct. Louviere did not respond to the charges, and the allegations were admitted under Supreme Court Rule XIX. No formal hearing was held, but the ODC submitted evidence for the hearing committee’s review.
The hearing committee found that Louviere’s actions caused harm to Williams and his family, noting that his neglect prevented a meaningful appeal. The committee identified aggravating factors, including Louviere’s prior disciplinary record—admonishments in 1993 and 1998 for similar misconduct—Williams’ vulnerability, and Louviere’s substantial legal experience. No mitigating factors were found. The committee recommended a suspension of one year and one day, along with a requirement to refund unearned fees through arbitration and to cover all costs of the disciplinary proceedings.
The Supreme Court adopted the committee’s recommendation, ordering Louviere to submit to fee dispute arbitration to determine the amount of unearned fees to be refunded to the Williams family. This process must be completed before Louviere can apply for reinstatement. Additionally, he is responsible for all costs of the disciplinary matter, with interest accruing 30 days after the court’s judgment becomes final.
The Disposition states:
“Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Drew Michael Louviere, Louisiana Bar Roll number 8826, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day. Prior to seeking reinstatement to the practice of law, the respondent shall participate in fee dispute arbitration and refund any unearned fees to the Williams family as determined by the arbitrator.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Louviere is a personal injury attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended the Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, graduating in 1981. He acquired his law license in Louisiana in 1982.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
