LSBA Partners with Human Rights First to Co-Sponsor “Left Out in Louisiana" Immigration CLEThe LSBA has partnered with Human Rights First to co-sponsor “Left Out in Louisiana: Addressing the Crisis in Immigration Representation” on Mar. 28 at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. The conference will bring together key local, state and national stakeholders to discuss how to secure justice for Louisiana’s immigrants. There is no registration fee and the conference has been approved for 6.5 hours of CLE credit.
Sessions will include topics such as “Legal Representation Serves All – Immigrants and the Court System” and “Models That Could Be Expanded or Replicated to Help Address Immigrant Legal Representation Gaps.” Hon. Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, will present a keynote address.
To view the full schedule or to register online, go to: http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/event/left-out-louisiana.
Committee Preferences: Get Involved in Your Bar!Committee assignment requests are now being accepted for the 2014-15 Bar year. LSBA President-Elect Joseph L. (Larry) Shea, Jr. will make all committee appointments. Widespread participation is encouraged in all Bar programs and activities. Appointments to committees are not guaranteed, but every effort will be made to accommodate members’ interests. When making selections, members should consider the time commitment associated with committee assignments and their availability to participate. Also, members are asked to list experience relevant to service on the chosen committees. The deadline for committee assignment requests is Tuesday, April 15. To review committees and download a Committee Preferences form, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/BarGovernance/Committees.aspx. For more information, contact LSBA Program Coordinator/Marketing and Sections Christine A. Richard at (504)619-0105, email
crichard@lsba.org.
“LSBA Uncorked” CLE in California: Room Block Expired, Rooms Subject to AvailabilityThe hotel reservation deadline for “LSBA Uncorked: A CLE Adventure in California’s Wine Country” has expired. Rooms are subject to space availability at prevailing rates. The CLE is set for Monday through Wednesday, March 24-26, at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in Sonoma, Calif. The CLE is approved for up to 13 CLE hours, including ethics and professionalism. A downloadable registration form is available online. To download the registration form and to review the schedule, speakers and hotel information, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/goto/2014sonoma.
Registration Still Open for March 21 Diversity ConclaveRegistration is still open for the seventh annual Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession, “Inclusive Professionalism: Harnessing the Power of Our Differences,” set for Friday, March 21, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St., New Orleans. The registration price is $90. The event is approved for up to 7.5 credit hours, including ethics and professionalism. For more information and to register online, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/goto/2014diversityconclave.
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Advertisers for Annual Meeting/Summer School: Respond by May 9Interested in sponsoring an Annual Meeting/Summer School event or product, booking space in the vendors’ area, or advertising in the Annual Meeting program? The LSBA is currently offering sponsors, vendors and program advertisers the opportunity to market their products and services to more than 400 legal professionals attending the combined LSBA 73rd Annual Meeting and LSBA/Louisiana Judicial College Joint Summer School, set for June 1-6 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. Response deadline is May 9. For sponsorship and vendor information, contact LSBA Program Coordinator/Marketing and Sections Christine A. Richard, email
crichard@lsba.org or call (504)619-0105. For program advertising information, contact LSBA Communications Assistant Krystal Bellanger Rodriguez, email
kbellanger@lsba.org or call (504)619-0131.
“Suit Up for the Future” Program Application Deadline is April 15Rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates interested in participating in the fourth “Suit Up for the Future” High School Summer Legal Institute and Internship Program must submit applications and all supporting documents by April 15.
The program, presented by the LSBA and the Just the Beginning Foundation, will be conducted June 9-27 and is aimed at high school students interested in the legal profession. Students will participate in a one-week legal institute, during which they will attend an abridged law school session, and a two-week internship consisting of shadowing at area law offices and courts. The students will also participate in field trips. Students who complete the program will receive a $250 stipend.
Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted online, emailed or postmarked by the deadline. Mail to: Louisiana State Bar Association, Attn: Diversity Committee, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130. Email to lsbadiversity@gmail.com. Students may access the online application at: http://www.lsba.org/goto/suitup.
LBF Seeks 2014-16 Scholar-in-ResidenceThe Louisiana Bar Foundation is accepting applications for a Scholar-in-Residence to serve a two-year term beginning in July 1, 2014. A $7,500 honorarium will be paid to the scholar as consideration for his/her work product. Applications must be received by April 30. For more information, contact Dennette L. Young at the Louisiana Bar Foundation by email at
dennette@raisingthebar.org or by phone at (504)561-1046.
LCLCE Seeking Nominations of Students for Civics in Action AwardThe Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education is currently seeking nominations of middle and high school students for the 2014 “Civics in Action” Award. The submission deadline is March 28. The award recognizes students who have made a difference or an improvement of the quality of life in their school, home or community through the use of civic engagement. For more information and a nomination form, go to:
http://www.lalce.org/Awards.html.
LSBA pairing CLE program with French Châteaux, Rivers & Wine Cruise in November 2014 More...
LBLS Waives Application Fee for 2014 ApplicantsThe Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) has announced that the application fee for 2014 applicants seeking certification will be waived. This translates to a $300 savings. The exam fee of $100 is payable with the application. The deadline to submit applications for consideration for estate planning and administration, family law and tax law certification is March 31, 2014. Applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2014. Anyone interested in applying for certification should contact LBLS Executive Director Barbara M. Shafranski, email
barbara.shafranski@lsba.org or call (504)619-0128.
Registration Still Open for ABA TECHSHOW®The LSBA is once again an Event Promoter for the ABA TECHSHOW® 2014 Conference and Expo, set for March 27-29 in Chicago, Ill. Because of the LSBA’s participation as an event promoter, LSBA members receive a registration discount. When registering, LSBA members should use the event promoter code EP1402. For more information and to register for the conference, presented by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, go to:
http://www.techshow.com.
Schemes Targeting Lawyers Are Continuing: LSBA Says Remain Aware and VigilantThe Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) believes it is extremely important to remind Bar members about criminals targeting lawyers. Despite the Bar’s efforts to warn its members, it is apparent that various schemes involving counterfeit checks or phishing emails to gain account information continue to occur. Luckily, most efforts are unsuccessful but some members have been harmed. The LSBA has recently received information from several targeted lawyers.
Although the fraudulent efforts may take different forms, many involve “fake” clients and counterfeit checks.
One version has a lawyer receiving an overpayment on an initial advance deposit for fees. The “fake” client asks for a refund of the overpayment.
In another instance, the lawyer receives a check from a “third party” after minimal collection efforts on behalf of the “fake” client. The “fake” client typically wants the funds immediately and asks for money to be wired. The funds are disbursed before the check is found to be counterfeit.
Sometimes the “fake client” is foreign and seeking to collect child support or another judgment from a U.S. citizen.
In other instances, the legal work could seem more local such as a collection effort for architectural or remodeling work done on property in your area. While the names or property may exist, people’s information may have been lifted and used without their permission by the scammers.
Do not accept facts as face value without more research and due diligence as to the people and matters involved.
The risk for the lawyer is that if a suspect check is deposited into trust, the local bank may provide the lawyer “provisional credit.” If a lawyer disburses funds to the “client,” the lawyer, most likely, would have been later advised that the original check was invalid or determined to be counterfeit, and the lawyer would have had a large sum of money stolen.
Be very careful. If suspicious, ask the bank how long it needs to determine whether a check is counterfeit. Check with your insurer to see if these fraudulent or criminal transactions are covered by your insurance.
Beware of clients you have never personally met or clients who need immediate transfer of funds. Don’t be tempted by receipt of an overpayment of an advance deposit or a fee that appears “too good to be true.”
The LSBA, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and law enforcement agencies encourage LSBA members to exercise caution and perform due diligence before accepting new cases and performing financial transactions involving the lawyer’s trust account.
Diversity Committee Hosting Networking Reception for Law Students on April 10The LGBT Subcommittee of the LSBA Diversity Committee is hosting a networking reception for students from the state’s four law schools from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, at the Louisiana Bar Center, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans. The reception offers networking opportunities to law students and professionals interested in LGBT issues to create career opportunities and support systems for the law students. Another reception will be scheduled in Baton Rouge in the fall. LSBA members and judges are encouraged to attend. Robein, Urann, Spencer, Picard & Cangemi, A.P.L.C., is sponsoring the receptions. RSVP by April 4 by contacting Sonjanita Jordan at (504)619-0115 or email
sonjanita.jordan@lsba.org.
Inclusive Professionalism Facilitators Training Set for April 7 and May 7The LSBA’s Diversity Committee has scheduled two more “Train the LSBA Facilitator” programs to equip speakers in facilitating discussions to foster inclusive professionalism. The programs are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, April 7, at the Shreveport Bar Association office, 625 Texas St.; and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Red Cross Board Room, 2640 Canal St., New Orleans. Both programs have been approved for up to 7.58 CLE hours, all professionalism. To register for the programs, contact Outreach Coordinator Michelle Neal at (504)619-0151 or email
michelle.neal@lsba.org.
Professionalism Speakers’ Workshop Set for May 9The LSBA Committee on the Profession’s Professionalism Speakers’ Workshop is set for 2-5 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Louisiana Bar Center, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans. Anyone interested in becoming a better speaker on professionalism topics should register for this free highly interactive workshop. For more information or to register, contact LSBA Professional Programs Counsel for Practice Assistance Bill King at (504)619-0109 or e-mail
bking@lsba.org.
Want to Become Part of the SOLACE Network and Assist Your Legal Colleagues?The LSBA/Louisiana Bar Foundation's Community Action Committee coordinates the program SOLACE (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel — All Concern Encouraged). Through the program, the legal community reaches out in many ways to judges, lawyers, court personnel, paralegals, legal secretaries and their families who experience deaths or other catastrophic illnesses, sickness or injury. Through a vast network of coordinators and volunteers, the requests for assistance are gathered and disseminated to the network. Within days or hours — even minutes — the requests are fulfilled. Volunteers working on this project have experienced a true sense of doing something for others in need. If you want to become part of this network, email Hon. Jay C. Zainey at
jay_zainey@laed.uscourts.gov. For more on the program, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/Members/solace.aspx.
Legislation Committee Lists 2014 Legislative Dates and DeadlinesThe LSBA’s Legislation Committee has listed several dates and deadlines relevant to the 2014 Louisiana legislative session. To review bill filing deadlines and the dates of LSBA Legislation Committee meetings, as well as Legislation Committee contacts, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/legislation.
Lawyers’ Assistance Program Offers Services to LSBA Members and Their FamiliesThe Lawyers’ Assistance Program, Inc. provides confidential assistance to LSBA members and their families with problems such as alcoholism, substance abuse, mental health issues, gambling and all other addictions. To review all services and to read the latest LAP newsletter, go to:
http://www.lsba.org/lap.