NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) recently -- and for the second time in about four years -- dismissed allegations of misconduct against New Orleans attorney Deidre Katrina Peterson,
The LADB adopted the factual findings of an earlier hearing committee recommendation along with the committee's conclusions that the office of disciplinary counsel failed to make its case against Peterson, according to the board's 11-page ruling issued Oct. 17.
"The board also concurs with the hearing committee's recommendation that the formal charges should be dismissed," the ruling said.
The LADB will bear all costs in the matter, according to the ruling.
Peterson had been facing allegations she violated professional conduct rules regarding failures to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on behalf of a client, to communicate reasonably and promptly and to provide a client with sufficient information. Both the hearing committee and the LADB found that the officer of disciplinary counsel "failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence" that Peterson had violated those rules.
The office of disciplinary counsel filed its formal charges against Peterson in November following a complaint filed in June 2016 by a former client represented by Peterson in a federal civil claim. LADB Hearing Committee No. 8 handed down its recommendation for dismissal in June.
Peterson was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on Oct. 9, 1998, according to her profile at the Louisiana State Bar Association's website.
The LADB's decision marks the second time that similar allegations against Peterson have been dismissed. In an earlier matter, a hearing committee recommended in April 2014 that an allegation that Peterson failed to act with reasonable diligence in representing her client be dismissed. The hearing committee found then that the fee she had charged that client had not been unreasonable and that she had logged at least 30 hours worth of work on the client's behalf.