Courthouse News reports:
The Louisiana State Bar strayed from its core role by giving its members wellness advice and promoting Pride Month, a Fifth Circuit panel ruled Monday, exempting an attorney who took issue with these activities from having to join the organization or pay it dues.
Randy Boudreaux, who is openly gay, took issue with an LGBTQ Pride Month flag the state bar posted on its website in July, linking to a History.com article about gay rights. The panel determined the bar can promote the inclusion of LBGTQ people in the legal profession. But in this instance it went too far: It promoted LGBTQ causes generally with no nexus to the practice of law.
The panelists granted Boudreaux a preliminary injunction preventing the Louisiana State Bar from requiring him to join or pay dues. But they stressed the injunction only applies to Boudreaux.
Read the full article. Like most states, those in Fifth Circuit’s jurisdiction require lawyers to join their state bar. Boudreaux was represented by the right wing Pelican Center for Justice.
Fifth Circuit sides with Louisiana attorney in First Amendment row with state bar @cam_langford https://t.co/ORvDgSL5E1
— Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) November 14, 2023
Congrats to Randy Boudreaux for winning a big victory for freedom of association against the @LouisianaBar today.
Proud of the fight @josh_hammer, @MisruleofLaw and I were able to lead against compelled speech which set the precedent for Louisiana attorneys.
— Tony McDonald (@TweetTonyMac) November 13, 2023
Today, Randy Boudreaux is fighting in court against mandatory membership in the Louisiana State Bar Association. We are proud to represent Randy with @GoldwaterInst in his fight to regain his First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/J6OlylEXG1
— Pelican Institute (@PelicanInst) June 21, 2022
