Louisiana State Bar Association

Chair

Mr. Lawrence J. Centola
Lawrence J. (Larry) Centola III practices law at the New Orleans firm of Martzell & Bickford. He received a BA degree in 1998 from Louisiana State University and his JD degree in 2001 from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2001.

Larry is vice chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s (LSBA) Lawyers in Transition Committee and serves on the Public Information Committee. He has served as LSBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) chair-elect, secretary and on the YLD Council. He is the immediate past chair of the Federal Bar Association (New Orleans Chapter) Young Lawyers Division and is a former chair of the Louisiana Association for Justice Young Lawyers Division.

He received the LSBA Young Lawyers Division’s Bat P. Sullivan, Jr. Chair’s Award in 2007.

In a ceremony at the United States Supreme Court, he was presented with the 2008 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Professional Service from the American Inns of Court. The national award is presented to an attorney who has been practicing for fewer than 10 years.

He and his wife, Amy, have been married for six years and are the parents of three girls.

338 Lafayette St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 581-9065
Fax: (504) 581-7635

Chair-Elect

Mr. Kyle A. Ferachi
Kyle A. Ferachi is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of McGlinchey Stafford, P.L.L.C. He received a BA degree in 1998 from Louisiana Tech and his JD degree in 2001 from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2001.

Kyle served as District 5 representative on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Council. He is a past president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Council and is the recipient of the 2005 Baton Rouge Bar Association’s President’s Award. He is a former member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s board of directors. He is also a member of the American Bar Association.

He is immediate past president of the Greater Baton Rouge Community Tennis Association.

He and his wife, Kara King Ferachi, have been married for 13 years and are the parents of two children.

One American Place
301 Main St Fl 14
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Phone: (225) 383-9000
Fax: (225) 343-3076

Secretary

Mr. John L. Hoffoss Jr
J. Lee Hoffoss, Jr. is a partner in the Lake Charles firm of Newman, Hoffoss & Devall, L.L.P. He received a BA degree and an MA degree in 2000 and 2001, respectively, from Louisiana Tech University and his JD degree in 2004 from Southern University Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2004 and in Texas in 2010.

Lee served as the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division representative on the LSBA Young Lawyers Division Council. He is a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice, the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Judge Albert Tate, Jr. American Inn of Court. He also serves on the board of directors of the Southwest Louisiana Law Center.

In his community, he is involved with St. Nicholas Center for Early Intervention and is a member of Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Lee and his wife, Corlissa Nash Hoffoss, have been married for six years and are the parents of three children.

3205 Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601-6021
Phone: (337) 433-2053
Fax: (337) 436-5430

Immediate Past Chair

Ms. Shayna L. Sonnier
Shayna L. Sonnier is a partner in the Lake Charles firm of Hunter, Hunter & Sonnier, L.L.C. She received a bachelor’s degree in 2000 from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and her law degree in 2003 from Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University. She was admitted to practice in Texas in 2003 and in Louisiana in 2005.

Shayna has served as chair, chair-elect, secretary and District 4 representative on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Council and was co-chair of the Wills for Heroes Committee.

She serves on the board of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association and is a past president of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

In her community, she is a board member for the Whistle Stop and a member of St. Luke Simpson United Methodist Church, where she serves as secretary on the Church Council. She is a past board member of the Southwest Louisiana Law Center and the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club. She was chosen as the 2008-09 Rotarian of the Year.

1807 Lake St
Lake Charles, LA 70601-5771
Phone: (337) 436-1600
Fax: (337) 439-2505

District One Representative

Mr. Justin M. Chopin
Justin M. Chopin is an associate in the New Orleans firm of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, L.L.P. He received a BA degree in psychology in 2002 from the University of Dallas and his JD degree in 2007 from Loyola University College of Law. He also was awarded a certificate in international law. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2007.

Justin received the 2011 Bat P. Sullivan, Jr. Chair’s Award from the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

He is a member of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, the Federal Bar Association and the Judge John C. Boutall American Inn of Court.

He was recognized in the 2012 CityBusiness Leadership in Law list and was honored as a 2012 Super Lawyers Rising Star. He was selected for inclusion in the 2012 Louisiana Life magazine’s “Top Young Lawyers in Louisiana.”

Justin and his wife, Lindsey Harreld Chopin, were married in May 2012.

650 Poydras St Ste 2010
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 432-5517

District One Representative

Ms. Dylan T. Thriffiley
Dylan Tuggle Thriffiley is an associate in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller LLP. She received a BS degree in 2005 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her JD degree in 2008 from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2008.

Dylan was a member of the Leadership LSBA Class in 2010-11 and was a co-chair of the 2011-12 Class. She also is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Public Information Committee.

She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Association for Women Attorneys.

Dylan and her husband, Peter S. Thriffiley, Jr., were married in April 2012.

909 Poydras St Fl 14
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 620-3187
Fax: (504) 620-3373

District Two Representative

Ms. Erin O. Braud
Erin O. Braud is an attorney with the Law Offices of Robert E. Birtel, staff counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., in Metairie. She received a BA degree in mass communications in 2002 from Louisiana State University and her JD degree in 2005 from Loyola University College of Law. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2005.

Erin is a member of the Plaquemines Parish Bar Association, the Jefferson Bar Association and the Junior League of New Orleans.

She and her husband, S. Jacob Braud, have been married for four years and are the parents of a daughter.

3900 N Causeway Blvd Ste 625
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 837-7050
Fax: (504) 837-0249

District Two Representative

Mr. Jason M. Baer
Jason M. Baer is an associate in the Metairie office of Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale, L.L.P. He received a BS degree in accounting in 2005 from Louisiana State University and his JD degree in 2008 from Loyola University College of Law. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2008.

Jason is a member of the Jefferson Bar Association, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel and the Federal Bar Association (Young Lawyers Division board member).

He and his wife, Liz Lorio Baer, have been married for three years and are expecting their first child in January 2013.

1 Galleria Blvd Ste 1400
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: (504) 836-6500

District Three Representative

Ms. Sara B. Rodrigue
Sara B. Rodrigue is an associate in the Lafayette firm of Laborde & Neuner. She received her bachelor of arts and sciences degree in 2005 from Nicholls State University and her JD degree and graduate diploma in civil law in 2009 from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2009.

Sara served as a mock trial competition judge in the 2012 program coordinated by the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. She coached the mock trial competition for Northside High School in 2011.

She is a member of the Lafayette Bar Association and chaired the Awards and Grants Committee for the Lafayette Young Lawyers Association. She received the 2011 Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers Outstanding Attorney Award. Additionally, she is a member of the Acadiana American Inn of Court and the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel.

In her community, she participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana.

One Petroleum Center
1001 W Pinhook Rd Ste 200
Lafayette, LA 70503
Phone: (337) 237-7000
Fax: (337) 233-9450

District Four Representative

Mr. Claude P. Devall Jr
Claude (T-Claude) P. Devall, Jr. is a partner in the Lake Charles firm of Newman, Hoffoss & Devall, L.L.P. He received a BS degree in business and sociology in 2001 from Louisiana State University and his JD degree in 2004 from Southern University Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2004.

Claude is a member of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, vice president of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and a member of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Inn of Court.

In his community, he is a member of the Delta Waterfowl and Coastal Conservation Association.

He and his wife, Abby C. Devall, have been married for three years and are the parents of one child.


3205 Ryan St
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 433-2053
Fax: (337) 433-2055

District Five Representative

Ms. Laura H. Bryan
Laura Hart Bryan is a health care attorney with the Louisiana Department of Insurance. She received a BS degree in social science secondary education in 1997 from Northwestern State University and her JD/BCLS degree in 2003 from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2003.

Laura was a member of the 2010-11 Leadership LSBA Class, served on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Awards Committee, and has been active in the local bar association. She is currently the co-chair of the YLD’s State High School Mock Trial Competition. She served as a mock trial judge for district and state competitions in 2010 and 2011 and coached a mock trial team in 2010.

Laura and her husband, Darin Bryan, were married in January 2011.


1702 N 3rd St
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 219-0103
Fax: (225) 342-1632

District Five Representative

Mr. Scotty E. Chabert Jr
Scotty E. Chabert, Jr. is an assistant district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, a partner in the Baton Rouge firm of Saunders & Chabert and an adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center. He received a BS degree in 2002 from Louisiana State University and his JD degree in 2006 from Southern University Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2006 and in Mississippi in 2007.

Scotty was a member of the Leadership LSBA Class of 2009-10 and was a co-chair for the 2010-11 Class. He is a board member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. He is a 2010 recipient of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s President’s Award.

In his community, he is a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Scotty and his wife, Katie D. Chabert, have been married for three and a half years.

6525 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 771-8100
Fax: (225) 771-8101

District Six Representative

Mr. Derrick G. Earles
Derrick G. (Digger) Earles is a partner in the firm of Caubarreaux & Associates in Marksville. He received his undergraduate degree in 1998 from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and his JD degree in 2004 from Southern University Law Center. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2004.

Derrick is a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.

He and his wife, Amy, have been married for six years and are the parents of three children.

144 Tunica Dr W
Marksville, LA 71351
Phone: (318) 253-0900
Fax: (318) 253-5666

District Seven Representative

Ms. Jennifer H. Johnson
Jennifer Hodge Johnson is an attorney with the law firm of McNew, King, Mills, Burch & Landry, L.L.P., in Monroe. She received a BA degree in 1998 from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and her JD degree in 2001 from Mississippi College School of Law. She was admitted to practice in Mississippi in 2001 and in Louisiana in 2002.

Jennifer is serving as president of the 4th Judicial District Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and is a member of the Judge Fred Fudickar, Jr. Inn of Court.

In her community, she is a volunteer for Family Promise of Ouachita, and an active member, Property Committee chair and Sunday School teacher at Lakeshore Baptist Church.

Jennifer and her husband, Gus, have been married for 12 years and are the parents of one child.

2400 Forsythe Ave Ste 2
Monroe, LA 71201
Phone: (318) 361-3140
Fax: (318) 361-3141

District Eight Representative

Mr. Jerry Edwards
Jerry Edwards, Jr is an associate in the firm of Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, PLC, in Shreveport He received a BA degree in political science in 2002 from Georgia State University and his JD degree in 2005 from Vermont Law School He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2006

Jerry coordinated the Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s two Professional Development Seminars in 2012 He was a member of the Leadership LSBA 2009-10 Class and was a speaker at the LSBA’s Mini Conclave on Diversity in Shreveport

He is a member of the Shreveport Bar Association, the Shreveport-Bossier Black Lawyers Association and the Harry V Booth and Judge Henry A Politz American Inn of Court (barrister) He also is a member of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana

In his community, he is a board member for the Volunteers of America of North Louisiana

400 Texas St Ste 1400
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: (318) 221-6858
Fax: (318) 227-2967

At-Large Representative

Mr. Kellen J. Mathews
Kellen J Mathews is an associate in the Alexandria firm of Vilar & Elliott, LLC He received a BA degree in 2004 from Millsaps College and his JD/BCL degree in 2008 from Louisiana State University Paul M Hebert Law Center He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2008

Kellen was a member of the 2010-11 Leadership LSBA Class and is co-chair of the 2011-12 Leadership Class

He is serving as president of the Crossroads American Inn of Court

In his community, he is a board member for the YMCA of Central Louisiana and Hope House of Central Louisiana

450 Laurel St Ste 1900
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Phone: (225) 336-5200
Fax: (225) 336-5220

YLD Representative to the ABA House of Delegates

Ms. Sarah E. Stogner
Sarah E Stogner is an associate in the New Orleans office of Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux, LLC She received a BS degree in international trade and finance in 2005 from Louisiana State University and her JD/BCL degree in 2008 from LSU Paul M Hebert Law Center She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2008

Sarah is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Legislation Committee and was a member of the 2010-11 Leadership LSBA Class

She is a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, a Young Lawyers Division board member for the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and a member and Young Lawyers Division Committee member of the Defense Research Institute

In her community, she is a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council and its WINGs Committee

Sarah and her husband, Jeremy Adkins, have been married for a year

1100 Poydras St Ste 3100
New Orleans, LA 70163
Phone: (504) 585-3845
Fax: (504) 585-3801

ABA YLD Representative

Ms. Cristin G. Fitzgerald
Cristin G Fitzgerald is a member/partner in the New Orleans firm of Fitzgerald & Brown, LLC She received a BAS degree in 2001 from Louisiana State University and her JD degree in 2005 from Loyola University Law School She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2006 She also is admitted in New York

Cristin served as a volunteer for the Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s Wills for Heroes program She is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the New Orleans Bar Association

In her community, she volunteers her time with the Habitat for Humanity program and with the Susan G Komen for the Cure program

Cristin and her husband, Lanson Bordelon, were married in April 2012

630 N Carrollton Ave
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 564-7677
Fax: (504) 564-7677