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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> of LoUJ DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> P.0. BOX 4368 <br /> BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> coti,�cr` (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www,ethics.1a.gov <br /> July 13, 2021 <br /> James S. Knight <br /> 1073 Cleveland Street <br /> Franklinton, Louisiana 70438 <br /> Re: Ethics Board. Docket No. 2021-366 <br /> Dear Mr. Knight: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its July 9,2021 meeting, considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion as to whether you may represent a client in a custody proceeding against,an employee of the <br /> Town of Franklinton while you serve as Town Attorney for the Town of Franklinton. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You are currently serving as the Town Attorney for the Town of Franklinton. You have a client who <br /> is involved in a custody proceeding against an employee of the Town. The Town currently has no <br /> claim, investigation or any other matter pending with respect to the employee. The Mayor has also <br /> changed your duties so that you have no oversight over the employee's department. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Given that the transaction you are engaged in does not involve the Town, this would not be a <br /> violation of the Code of Governmental Ethics. However, as the Board does not have the authority <br /> to opine on matters of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct,you should contact the Louisiana <br /> Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Their website is found at http://www.ladb.org. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> The Board concluded,and instructed me to inform you,that the Code of Governmental Ethics would <br /> not prohibit you from serving as attorney to a client in a proceeding against a Town employee to the <br /> extent that the proceeding is not related to Town business. The Board expresses no opinion as to <br /> whether such represerttation would be prohibited under the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts as <br /> presented may result in a different application of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Board <br /> issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to laws other than the Code of Governmental Ethics. If <br /> you have any questions, please contact me at(800) 842-6630 or(225) 219-5600. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />