Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay B. McCallum administered the oath of office to Katie Jo Miller, Esq., who is the first military spouse attorney to take advantage of the opportunity to practice law in Louisiana under Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XVII, Section 15. This rule, titled Temporary Admission of Military Spouse Attorneys enacted effective September 23, 2022, allows licensed attorney spouses of active-duty military members who reside with their service members in Louisiana to apply for a limited license to practice law.
According to Louisiana Rule XVII, Section 15, in consideration of attorneys with the need to frequently relocate due to the commitment of their spouses who are active-duty service members of the United States Uniformed Service stationed in Louisiana, the military spouse attorney is allowed to obtain a limited license to practice law without examination, provided that the military spouse attorney fully complies with the additional requirements and completion of procedures as outlined in the rule. Upon the Supreme Court’s enactment of this rule in collaboration with the Louisiana State Bar Association, Louisiana joins several other states in affording this privilege to military spouses.
Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer stated, “The enacting of this rule assists the men and women who serve in the military and their attorney spouses. We hope it may ultimately provide a very welcome side benefit in drawing more people to the state of Louisiana by allowing both the active-duty service member and their spouse to be productive in careers that they each have worked fervently to maintain. Optimistically, the administration of this oath encourages many other military members with attorney spouses who are considering relocating to Louisiana.”
“It was an honor to help usher Katie Jo Miller, Esq, into the practice of law in Louisiana as the very first military spouse attorney under the new rule. It was particularly appropriate that this would occur during National Military Appreciation Month,” said Justice Jay B. McCallum. “It was the intention of the Louisiana Supreme Court and Louisiana State Bar Association in crafting this rule, to support military service members and their families by making seamless the transition for practicing attorneys who move to the state as the result of a spouse's call of duty for our country.”
Katie Jo Miller earned her bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and her juris doctor degree from University of North Dakota School of Law. She will be employed at the Caddo Parish Public Defender’s Office.
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