LSBA Headlines

• NOTICE: Attorney Fee Review Board Sets Hourly Rates Through 2027

  The Attorney Fee Review Board (AFRB) is charged with establishing hourly rates for legal fees for which the State may be liable pursuant to La. R.S. 13:5108.3. The AFRB met for its 2025 fall meeting on October 6, 2025.  Click here to read the AFRB Notice of rates.

• Committee Preferences: Get Involved in Your Bar!

  Committee assignment requests are now being accepted for the 2026-27 Bar year. Response deadline is Friday, April 10.
  

• House of Delegates Jan. 24 Meeting Recap

  The LSBA’s House of Delegates approved four resolutions and elected delegates to Committees at its Midyear Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.
  

• Louisiana Act 352 Overhauls Court Filings Starting Jan. 1, 2026

  Act 352 changes how Louisiana lawyers file court papers starting Jan. 1, 2026. After that date, attorney filings must be made either in person using paper or electronically through a clerk-approved e-filing system. For e-filings, a document is considered filed on the date and time shown on the system’s acceptance confirmation.  Approved e-filing systems include the parish courts’ Louisiana Clerks’ Remote Access Authority (LCRAA) portal and the independent filing systems of the five Courts of Appeal and the Louisiana Supreme Court.

• U.S. 5th Circuit Adopts Amendments and Local Rule Change

  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has adopted amendments to its local rules, effective December 1, 2025, to align with recent changes to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
  The full text of the amended rules and related guidance is available on the Fifth Circuit’s website at www.ca5.uscourts.gov.  

• LSBA Names Old Republic as New Endorsed Malpractice Insurance Provider

  Enhanced coverage and new benefits for Louisiana lawyers begin January 2026.
  After a year-long review process, the LSBA has selected Old Republic Lawyers Specialty Insurance (ORLSI) as the Association’s endorsed provider of lawyer’s malpractice insurance, partnering with Gilsbar to manage and administer the program. The change marks a major enhancement to the LSBA Insurance Program, which now offers more flexible pricing, additional premium credits, and stronger risk management benefits designed to reward careful, claims-free practice.
  

• LSBA 50-, 60-, 70-Year Members Recognized at Midyear Meeting

  LSBA members who have reached half a century and beyond in their professional careers were honored Jan. 23 during the Midyear Meeting. Review the list of honorees at: http://www.lsba.org/midyearmeeting/Photos.aspx.
  

• Interested in an Appointed LSBA HOD Leadership Position?

  Several LSBA House of Delegates seats received no qualifiers by the Oct. 13, 2025, qualifying deadline. These positions will be filled by presidential appointment. 
  

• Early Bird Deadline Extended for Solo, Small Firm & Tech Conference

  The early bird registration deadline for the LSBA’s 19th Solo, Small Firm & Tech Conference, scheduled for April 10, 2026, at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel in Kenner, has been extended to March 23, 2026. Attorneys can register at the discounted $175 early bird rate through the new deadline.

• 2026-27 LSBA Dues and LADB Assessment Payment Cycle to Begin in May

  The purpose of the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) is set forth in Art. III § 1 of its Articles of Incorporation. The expenditure of funds by the LSBA is limited as set forth in the LSBA’s Articles and Bylaws; Supreme Court Rule XVIII § 6; Keller v. State Bar of California, 496U.S. 1 (1990); McDonald v. Longley, 4 F.4th 229 (5th Cir. 2021); and Boudreaux v. Louisiana State Bar Ass’n, 86 F.4th 620 (5th Cir. 2023).

• Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Plan of Legal Specialization

  The Louisiana Supreme Court has issued an order amending Sections 8.4, 9.2, and 10 of the Louisiana State Bar Association Plan of Legal Specialization. 
  
  

• LA Board of Legal Specialization Increased its Annual Dues Effective Jan. 1, 2026

  The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (“LBLS”) voted to amend Rule 6.5(a) of its Rules and Regulations to increase annual dues for all board certified specialists from $175.00 to $200.00, effective January 1, 2026. This is the first time that LBLS annual dues have been increased since 1993. LBLS also amended Rule 6.6(d) to add a penalty of $50.00 for failure to pay the recertification fee by the due date. For more information or questions about these increases please contact LBLS Specialization Director, Mary Ann Wegmann, at maryann.wegmann@lsba.org.
  

• Application Deadline May 29 for Leadership LSBA 2026–27 Class

  LSBA President-Elect Curtis R. Joseph, Jr. is currently seeking applications from young lawyers for the Leadership LSBA 2026–27 Class. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. To learn more about the program, go to: www.lsba.org/goto/leadershiplsba
• Ongoing News
• • House Resolution Deadline is May 6 for Annual Meeting
  • Nominations Open for 2026 Catherine D. Kimball Award
  • Registration Open and Sponsor Opportunities Available for 2026 Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession
  • Louisiana Supreme Court Revises MCLE Age-Based Exemption Effective Jan. 1, 2026
  • LBLS Accepting Applications for Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy Law Certification through Sept. 30
  • Attorneys Apply for Recertification as Legal Specialists
  • Attorneys Apply for Certification as Legal Specialists
  • Online Application Portal Open for 2026 Suit Up Program
  • Job Shadowing Opportunities Available for 2026 Suit Up for the Future Program
  • ABA TECHSHOW 2026 Returns to Chicago, Showcasing Future of Legal Tech
  • Mandatory Bar Challenge