NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana Record) — Disbarred Lafayette attorney Peter Brian Derouen faces possible permanent disbarment following a recommendation issued Aug. 19 by a Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) hearing committee over complaints that included practicing law while ineligible.
In its 12-page recommendation that the Louisiana Supreme Court permanently disbar Derouen, LADB hearing committee No. 22 said there would be no point in ever again allowing him to practice law.
"[Derouen]'s contempt for the rules of professional conduct and the profession has substantially harmed his clients and those who have put their trust in his hands," the committee's recommendation said. "Any continued practice of law on the part of [Derouen] would not likely result in any change in his behavior."
The counts against Derouen included reports he practicing law while ineligible, including appearing as counsel in a East Baton Rouge 19th Judicial District Court case in September 2017, several months after he was no longer eligble and the month prior to his disbarment.
Derouen did not file an answer to the office of disciplinary counsel's formal charges and in November the factual allegations were deemed admitted and the matters were consolidated, according to the recommendation. The office of disciplinary counsel filed its submission on sanction in April.
The hearing committee's recommendation was signed Aug. 16 by committee chair Alan K. Breaud and was issued three days later. Attorney member Thomas B. Thompson and public member Elaine R. Dill concurred in the recommendation.
Derouen was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on Oct. 5, 2001, according to his profile at the Louisiana State Bar's website. Derouen had no other discipline before the state bar prior to his disbarment, according to court documents.
Derouen became ineligible to practice law in Louisiana on June 1, 2017, for failing to comply with mandatory continuing legal education requirements.
The following October, Derouen was disbarred following an Supreme Court order over allegations he converted more than $18,000 of a client's funds and did not coordinate payment of her medical bills.