Rule 4 - Excuse From Payment of Periodic AssessmentA. A lawyer requesting to be excused from payment of the periodic fee assessed by Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 8, on grounds of financial hardship shall file such request with the board by June 1 of the year preceding the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) for which the fee is assessed. The request shall be signed under oath or affirmation under penalty of perjury by the lawyer seeking to be excused and shall set forth in detail the reasons for the request. Each request shall include a statement of the lawyer's assets at the time submitted and his or her gross and net income from all sources for the year during which the request is made and the calendar year preceding the year during which the request is made. Additional documentation may be required in support of the request.B. A board panel shall promptly approve or deny the request and shall provide written reasons if the request is denied. The board administrator shall notify the requesting lawyer in writing of the action of the panel.C. A decision of a panel to deny a request may be appealed by filing such appeal with the board within 15 days of service of the notice of the panel action. Any such appeal shall be reviewed by a second panel, whose decision shall be final.D. Neither a request for excuse from payment of the assessment nor an appeal from a panel denial shall suspend the obligation to pay the assessment in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 8(A). A lawyer may submit a copy of a notice of panel approval of a requested excuse in lieu of the assessment with the registration statement required by Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 8(C). No action by any lawyer or board panel pursuant to this Disciplinary Board rule shall in any way modify the obligation of the lawyer to file the registration statement required by Supreme Court Rule XIX, Section 8(C).E. An excuse granted pursuant to this rule shall be effective only for the fee assessed for the year following the filing of the request.F. A request for excuse, written arguments in support of that request, and documents submitted with the request shall be confidential.La. R. Sup. Ct. app A r. 4
Amended April 25, 2019, effective 5/15/2019.