Opinion ID: 1721151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Louisiana Capital Defense Project

Text: On August 13, 1986, Lallier wrote to the Louisiana Capital Defense Project indicating that he was a senior associate with the law firm Fredrikson & Byron and was interested in serving as counsel for the death row appeal of Dobie Williams despite being on CLE restricted status. In that letter he stated that, [i]n order for me to better assess the possibility of serving as counsel for Mr. Williams, it is necessary that you provide me with information regarding the specific level of support with which our firm must provide me while serving as Dobie Williams' attorney. He proceeded to review the transcript of the case, presumably looking for appealable error. While Lallier contends his contribution to the appeal was limited to reading the briefs, that he made no conclusions of law, gave no legal advice, nor appeared on behalf of Williams, whether he actually appeared in court or offered any advice is not determinative of the question whether he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. The referee concluded that Lallier's conduct in the Louisiana Capital Defense Project suggested that he was eligible and fully prepared to practice law in state court if he was asked to do so, without regard to his restricted status in Minnesota.