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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> OF L°STG� DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> ,Sw oN cr9 <br /> ��� ,4. f> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> * * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> C01'FIDENLE (225)219-5600 <br /> ..a• FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.1a.gov <br /> March 11, 2024 <br /> Dane S. Ciolino <br /> Louisiana Legal Ethics, LLC <br /> 18 Farnham Place <br /> Metairie, Louisiana 70005 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2023-1076 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Ciolino: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its meeting on March 8, 2024, considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion on behalf of former Governor John Bel Edwards regarding the post-employment <br /> provisions in the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") that apply to his potential affiliation as <br /> Special Counsel with the law firm of Fishman Haygood LLP. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> John Bel Edwards's service as Governor for the State of Louisiana ended on January 8, 2024. <br /> Governor Edwards intends to contract with Fishman Haygood as a "non-exclusive independent <br /> contractor with a `Special Counsel' designation." The proposed contract provides that Governor <br /> Edwards will: <br /> • be free from control and supervision of the law firm as to the means and methods of <br /> performing his work; <br /> • not be obligated to work in a particular place, a set number of hours, or be required to log <br /> a set number of billable hours; <br /> • not be prohibited from providing services to other clients or law firms that otherwise do <br /> not present attorney/client conflicts of interest for Fishman Haygood; <br /> • decide which assignments he will accept; <br /> • maintain his own office space, but may use the firm's offices in New Orleans and Baton <br /> Rouge; <br /> • be responsible for his expenses,but may be reimbursed by clients for those expenses; <br /> • not be eligible to participate in the law firm's group health,life,and disability plans,401(k), <br /> profit sharing, retirement plans, or other benefits provided by the law firm; <br /> • receive a 1099 tax form; and, work for a fixed term. <br /> The contract also provides that Fishman Haygood cannot terminate Governor Edwards's services <br /> "at will." Governor Edwards will have no ownership interest in Fishman Haygood. <br /> Page 1 of 4(BD 2023-1076) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />