On Monday, December 12, 2022, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board filed its Recommendation to the Louisiana Supreme Court in relation to charges for attorney discipline against New Orleans attorney William A. Roe for misconduct.

The case titled In Re: William A. Roe was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel under case no. 21-DB–014.

The charges cited Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(3) – Lack of candor toward the tribunal; 8.4(a) – violating or attempting to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct; 8.4(c) – Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and 8.4(d) – Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

The respondent allegedly engaged in the misconduct by having offered and swore before the Court a false jurat stating that the affiants swore to and signed them in his presence. It was further alleged that the respondent failed to take remedial action to address the false affidavits with the Court. The hearing committee concluded that the respondent violated the rules as charged and recommended the imposition of a one-year suspension.

The Hearing Committee Report states:

“Respondent seeks to minimize his misconduct by claiming the Affidavits were not used as evidence. This disregards Paragraph XIX of the petition which states that three of the siblings concurred in the relief sought by his client. It also fails to counter Judge Conner’s testimony that such concurrences carry weight in his decision. Having both practiced in and served as judge in that same court, Respondent would likely be aware of this practice, placing into question his claim that the attachment of the Affidavits to the petition was inadvertent.”

The Hearing Committee Report continues:

“As to the sanction, the Committee analyzed the Rule XIX, Section 10(c) factors and found that Respondent violated duties owed to his client, the public, the legal system and the profession. The Committee also found that Respondent’s conduct was knowing and caused actual harm to his client, Ms. Dobard, and to the profession, and potential harm to the legal system.”

The Hearing Committee Report additionally notes:

“Aggravating factors found by the Committee included prior disciplinary offenses and substantial experience in the practice of law (admitted in 1980). Mitigating factors found included remorse and full and free disclosure to ODC and cooperation in these proceedings.”

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the Review Board adopted the factual findings of the Hearing Committee and concluded that the Respondent violated the above-cited Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Recommendation reads:

“The Board recommends that Respondent, William A. Roe, be suspended from the practice of law for one year and one day. The Board further recommends that Respondent be assessed with all costs and expenses of these proceedings in accordance with Rule XIX, §10.1(A)”

Mr. William A. Roe is a former district court judge of the 25th Judicial District, Parish of Plaquemines. He has been licensed in Louisiana, license no. 11384. His info can be found on LinkedIn.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.