Diversity And The Minority Job Fair

The LSBA Minority Involvement Section hosted its 20th Annual Minority Job Fair on August 15, 2008 at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. It was the Section's first job fair since Hurricane Katrina. The Fair was an all-day affair that provided an educational component for students, coordinated formal interviewing settings for employers, and allowed students and employers networking opportunities at a luncheon and a reception.

In the morning, students and recent graduates from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Louisiana State University Law Center, Southern University Law Center, and Tulane University Law School attended educational information sessions. LSBA President-Elect Kim Boyle directed the "Opportunities in the Judiciary" panel discussion with Student Moderator Eric Carter (President, Student Bar Association, Loyola University College of Law 2007 - 2008).

The panel included the following speakers:

Nghia Huynh (Staff Attorney, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Staff Attorney's Office);

Hon. Charles R. Jones (Judge, Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal);

Sandra A. Vujnovich (Executive Counsel to Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., Louisiana Supreme Court).

Ms. Boyle then directed the "Opportunities in Governmental Service" panel discussion with Student Moderator Waukeshia Jackson (President, Black Law Student Association, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center).

The following speakers served on that panel:

Hattie M. Broussard (Supervisory Field Counsel, Transportation Security Administration; formerly with the United States Attorney's Office);

Richard F. Cortizas (Attorney, Jones Walker Law Firm, and former Regional Director for United States Senator Mary Landrieu);

Donovan K. Hudson (Special Assistant for Urban Affairs, Office of Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu);

Charles L. Rice, Jr. (Attorney, Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, LLC, and former Chief Administrative Officer [2003-2005] and City Attorney [2002] for the City of New Orleans).

During lunch, MIS Vice Chair and Job Fair Planning Committee Chair Luis A. Leitzelar awarded by raffle three $250.00 book scholarships and other door prizes (including flash drives and iTunes gift cards) to law students in attendance. He also awarded certificates of appreciation to the following sponsors of the Fair:

Platinum Level
Entergy Services, Inc.
Irwin Fritchie Urquhart& Moore LLC
Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrere & Denegre
McCranie, Sistrunk Anzelmo, Hardy, Maxwell & McDaniel pc

Gold Level
Adams & Reese LLP
Chaffe McCall, LLP
Frilot LLC
Kean, Miller, Hawthorne, D'Armond, McCowan & Jarman, LLP
Liskow & Lewis
Vinson & Elkins, LLP

Silver Level
Gordon Arata McCollum Duplantis & Eagan LLP
Peragine & Lorio, LLC
Voorhies & Labbé

Judy Perry Martinez (Assistant General Counsel - Litigation, Northrop Grumman Corporation), one of the initiators of the first MIS Minority Job Fair in 1985, gave an inspiring keynote address to a packed audience of students, judges, and attorneys. After lunch, over 50 employers from very diverse practice areas interviewed and greeted students and recent graduates from the four area law schools.

For the first time ever, the Fair culminated in a diversity networking reception. Employers had the opportunity to meet and network with students and recent graduates in an informal setting. In addition to providing an incredible networking opportunity, the MIS recognized the 1985 initiators of the Minority Job Fair: David Bienvenu, Judy Perry Martinez, and Avis Russell. LSBA President Elizabeth Erny Foote and LSBA Director of Member Outreach and Diversity Kelly McNeil Legier presented Judy Perry Martinez, who was present at the reception, with a framed copy of the December 1985 Bar Journal article regarding the job fair. The LSBA will send Mr. Bienvenu and Ms. Russell their copies at a later date.

Download program guide

Look for more details about this event in the next issue of the LSBA Bar Journal.