HLS 25RS-720 ENGROSSED
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 449
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARLSON, BAMBURG, BERAULT, BILLINGS, CARVER,
CHENEVERT, COATES, COX, DEWITT, DOMANGUE, EDMONSTON, EGAN,
GALLE, GLORIOSO, HEBERT, HENRY, MCMAKIN, MELERINE, TURNER,
WILDER, AND WYBLE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
ATTORNEYS/FEES: Provides relative to fees reasonably expected to be earned by an
attorney
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 37:218(C), relative to fees collected by attorneys; to require an attorney to
3 disclose his interest with the court in certain circumstances; to provide for penalties;
4 and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 37:218(C) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง218. Contract for fee based on proportion of subject matter; stipulation concerning
8 compromise, discontinuance, or settlement
9 * * *
10 C.(1) If an attorney, other than the attorney of record, can reasonably expect
11 to earn a fee equal to or exceeding one thousand dollars, the attorney shall file a
12 disclosure of his interest in the case with the court.
13 (2) If an attorney in his individual capacity, or through an interest in a
14 business entity, can reasonably expect to earn an amount equal to or exceeding one
15 thousand dollars from the recovery in a case, other than a fee for legal services
16 provided for in the case, the attorney shall file a disclosure of his interest in the case
17 with the court.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-720 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 449
1 (3) Information required to be disclosed to the court pursuant to this
2 Subsection shall be considered discoverable. A nondisclosure agreement that
3 prohibits or prevents the disclosures required pursuant to this Subsection shall be
4 considered null and unenforceable to the extent that it prohibits or prevents the
5 disclosure of the information required to be disclosed.
6 (4) An officer of the court with knowledge of an attorney who has violated
7 the provisions of this Subsection shall file a complaint against the attorney for the
8 violation with the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 449 Engrossed 2025 Regular Session Carlson
Abstract: Provides relative to disclosure of an attorney's interest in a case in certain
circumstances.
Proposed law provides that if an attorney, other than the attorney of record, reasonably
expects to earn a fee equal to or exceeding $1,000, the attorney shall file a disclosure of his
interest in the case with the court.
Proposed law provides that if an attorney in his individual capacity or through an interest in
a business entity reasonably expects to earn an amount equal to or exceeding $1,000, other
than for legal services provided for in the case, the attorney shall file a disclosure of his
interest in the case with the court.
Proposed law provides that information required to be disclosed to the court pursuant to
proposed law shall be considered discoverable.
Proposed law provides that a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits or prevents the
disclosures pursuant to proposed law shall be considered null and unenforceable to the extent
that it prohibits or prevents the disclosure of the information required to be disclosed.
Proposed law provides that an officer of the court with knowledge of an attorney who has
violated the provisions of this Subsection shall file a complaint against the attorney for the
violation with the La. Attorney Disciplinary Board.
(Adds R.S. 37:218(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Civil Law and
Procedure to the original bill:
1. Specify that if an attorney other than the attorney of record can reasonably expect
to earn a fee equal to or exceeding $1,000, the attorney shall file a disclosure of
his interest with the court.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-720 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 449
2. Specify that the fee of $1,000 or more expected by an attorney does not apply to
fees for legal services provided for in the case.
3. Provide that information required to be disclosed to the court pursuant to
proposed law shall be considered discoverable.
4. Provide that a nondisclosure agreement that prohibits or prevents the disclosures
required by proposed law shall be considered null and unenforceable.
5. Provide that an officer of the court with knowledge of an attorney who has
violated the provisions of proposed law shall file a complaint against the attorney
for the violation with the La. Attorney Disciplinary Board.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.