On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana suspended Gretna attorney Juan Carlos Labadie from the practice of law for two years over a drug-related conviction.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Juan Carlos Labadie” and was brought by the Office of the Disciplinary Charges with case no. 2022-B-01552.

The charges cited Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a) and 8.4(b).

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

On September 1, 2022, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee recommended the suspension of Mr. Labadie from the practice of law in relation to drug-related conduct. The record showed that the respondent was arrested for possession of cocaine.

The filing states:

“The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office notified the ODC of the respondent’s arrest in August 2018. After the criminal charges were resolved, Detective Wiebelt provided a sworn statement to the ODC. During his statement, Detective Wiebelt indicated that the respondent appeared to be extremely nervous at the time of the traffic stop. Detective Wicbelt added that he summoned a K-9 unit to the scene to perform a drug detection, and after the K-9 detected an odor of a narcotic substance, the respondent was placed under arrest and searched. During the search, a clear bag containing a white powdery substance was found in the respondent’s rear pocket. The substance was field-tested and confirmed to be cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance.”

The filing continues:

“Respondent failed to answer the formal charges. Accordingly, the factual allegations contained therein were deemed admitted and proven by clear and convincing evidence pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, $ 11(EX3). No formal hearing was held, but the parties were given an opportunity to file with the hearing committee to write arguments and documentary evidence on the issue of sanctions. Respondent filed nothing for the hearing committee’s consideration.”

According to the court, the respondent knowingly violated the duties owed to the public and the legal profession. His conduct caused harm and the only appropriate sanction for such actions is suspension.

The Disposition states:

“Upon review of the findings and recommendations of the hearing committee, and considering the record, it is ordered that Juan Carlos Labadie, Louisiana Bar Roll number 24145, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for two years. AIl costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this courť’s judgment until paid.”

As of today, Mr. Labadie is on the website of The Law Office of Juan Carlos as a practicing attorney. Juan attended the Tulane University of Louisiana, graduating in 1994. Labadie practices in Gretna, Louisiana. He has been licensed in Louisiana, license #24145. His info can be found on lawyerdb.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.