NEW ORLEANS — Suspended longtime Baton Rouge attorney Felix Anthony DeJean IV, convicted of allegedly "chest bumping" a district attorney while leaving a judge's chambers in 2015, could be reinstated following a recent recommendation.
In its 10-page recommendation issued March 11, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) hearing committee No. 15 recommended "the Louisiana Supreme Court grant Mr. DeJean's petition for reinstatement and permit him to again practice law."
DeJean has fully complied with terms and conditions of all prior disciplinary orders, including payment of all costs and expenses, the recommendation said.
"Mr. Dejean is not suffering under a physical or mental disability that would impair Mr. DeJean's ability to competently practice law," the recommendation said. "On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates that Mr. DeJean is fully fit to practice."
DeJean also "recognizes the wrongfulness and seriousness of the misconduct leading to discipline," the recommendation said.
DeJean apologized during a hearing "for having to address his past conduct," the recommendation said.
"He further offered convincing testimony that he recognizes what he did was wrong, that his defense of his conduct was unjustified, and that he has learned from the experience such that he now has the tools necessary to avoid future wrongful conduct," the recommendation continued.
The recommendation was signed March 2 by committee Chair John H. Smith and was issued nine days later. Attorney member Laurie N. Marien and public member Robert Nelson concurred in the recommendation.
DeJean was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on Oct. 10, 1997, according to his profile at the Louisiana State Bar Association's website.
DeJean was suspended for a year and a day following a state Supreme Court January 2019 attorney disciplinary proceeding.
His suspension followed his conviction on a simple battery charge for allegedly "chest bumping" Concordia Parish District Attorney Bradley Burget while leaving Seventh Judicial District Court Judge Kathy Johnson's chambers in 2015.
In July of the following year, DeJean was found guilty of the misdemeanor charge and received a six-month suspended sentence, 18 months of supervised probation, was fined and ordered to complete an anger management program.
DeJean later told the Louisiana Record that he'd been the victim in the incident.
DeJean filed his petition for reinstatement in October.
The office of disciplinary counsel took no position on DeJean's petition.