Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section's 2009-10 Officers and Council Members Installed

The Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) Young Lawyers Section's (YLS) 2009-10 officers and Council members were installed June 11, in conjunction with the LSBA's Annual Meeting in Florida.

Melanie Mabile Mulcahy of Metairie was installed as 2009-10 Section chair by the Hon. Vanessa Guidry Whipple with Louisiana's 1st Circuit Court of Appeal. Joining Mulcahy as officers are Chair-Elect Alainna R. Mire of Alexandria, who will assume the chair's position in 2010-11; Secretary Shayna L. Sonnier of Lake Charles; and Immediate Past Chair Valerie Briggs Bargas of Baton Rouge.

Melanie Mabile Mulcahy is an associate with The Derbes Law Firm, L.L.C., in Metairie. She received a bachelor's degree in French and international relations (double major) in 1994 from Tulane University's Newcomb College and her law degree in 1999 from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2000.

Alainna R. Mire is assistant attorney for the city of Alexandria. She received a bachelor's degree in political science in 2000 from Louisiana State University and her law degree in 2004 from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2004.

Shayna L. Sonnier is an associate in the Lake Charles firm of Hunter & Blazier, A.P.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.

Valerie Briggs Bargas is a senior associate in the Baton Rouge firm of Seale, Smith, Zuber & Barnette. She received a bachelor's degree, cum laude, in 1998 from Smith College and her law degree in 2001 from Tulane Law School. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 2001.

Judge Whipple also installed members of the 2009-10 Council. Members include:
District One: Eve Sarco Reardon and Justin M. Chopin, both from New Orleans.
District Two: Ryan E. Beasley, Sr. of New Orleans and Brad J. Gegenheimer of Gretna.
District Three: Maggie Trahan Simar, St. Martinville.
District Four: Claude P. Devall, Jr., Lake Charles.
District Five: Kyle A. Ferachi and Christopher K. Jones, both of Baton Rouge.
District Six: Barbara Bell Melton, Alexandria.
District Seven: Jefferson B. Joyce, Monroe.
District Eight: Karelia R. Stewart, Shreveport.
At-Large Representative: Franchesca L. Hamilton-Acker, Lafayette.
ABA YLD Representative: Maurice C. Ruffin, New Orleans.
YLS Representative/ABA House of Delegates: Lawrence J. Centola III, New Orleans.

LSBA YLS High School Essay and YouTube Contests deadline has been extended until Friday, February 20, 2009. Submit your videos and essays now!

2009 Louisiana High School Essay & YouTube Contest
A topic has been chosen for the 2009 Louisiana High School Essay Contest and for the first ever YouTube Contest!
Please click on the following links to view the brochure that was sent to all Louisiana Civics teachers and the contest rules and judging information.
For more information, contact Karelia R. Stewart

Download Brochure
Contest Rules
Entry Form

The Richard N. Ware, IV State High School Mock Trial Competition held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Ouachita Parish courthouse in Monroe, Louisiana, and the regional competitions will be held in various locations around the state. Please contact your regional coordinator for more information or Jeff Joyce, State High School Mock Trial Coordinator.

Click here to download the handbook and case materials.
CORRECTION OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2009 MOCK TRIAL PACKET