Suspension Accepted by Louisiana Supreme Court
The Louisiana State Supreme Court has agreed to a three-year suspension of attorney Niles Haymer from practicing law. Haymer is a well-known figure in Baton Rouge’s legal circles, having served both as a defense lawyer and a city prosecutor. This suspension follows a series of serious allegations made against him by the state’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC).
Allegations and Investigation Details
The ODC, the investigative branch of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, opened a probe into multiple accusations against Haymer. Court documents list several charges including neglect of legal matters, client abandonment, failure to communicate with clients, mishandling of client and third-party property, delays in paying funds owed, lack of cooperation with the ODC, and dishonesty. The documents describe the misconduct as involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and behavior harmful to the justice system.
The exact details and incidents that sparked these allegations were not disclosed in the court filings.
Settlement Reached, Suspension Enforced
Instead of proceeding with a formal hearing, Haymer and the ODC reached an agreement for the suspension. This deal was approved by the state Supreme Court in early July, effectively pausing Haymer’s legal career for the next three years.
Additionally, Haymer must provide proof that he has compensated any clients or third parties he wronged and cover all investigation-related expenses. When contacted for comment, Haymer was unavailable.
Haymer’s Legal and Political Background
Haymer has a deep-rooted history in Baton Rouge’s legal system. He holds a law degree from Southern University Law Center and has spent over 20 years working in law. His experience spans both criminal defense and prosecution, following in the footsteps of his father, making him a second-generation city prosecutor.
He has also sought judicial office multiple times. In the 2024 fall election, he ran for a position on the Baton Rouge City Court but was defeated by Brittany Bryant Jorden, a former assistant district attorney. Prior to that, in 2019, Haymer contested a special primary for a juvenile court judgeship but lost to Gail Grover.
Setbacks and Resilience
In 2020, Haymer faced a major professional setback when his law firm located on East Boulevard in downtown Baton Rouge was destroyed in a suspected arson attack. During his later campaign efforts, he mentioned how the incident fueled his determination to clear case backlogs and introduce new programs within the city court system.
What This Means
This suspension marks a significant pause in Haymer’s long legal career, reflecting the seriousness of the misconduct allegations and the court’s commitment to uphold ethical standards. It also adds a new chapter to his public profile, one marked by both resilience and controversy.
