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The LSBA Young Lawyers Division will host its 2026 Louisiana Young Lawyers Conference: The Reel Future of Law on Friday, April 10th. This engaging seminar will be held at the New Orleans Marriott - Warehouse Arts District, 859 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans. Attendees can earn up to 4.5 hours of CLE credit while connecting with other young lawyers from around the state. The event will also include lunch and the YLD Awards Ceremony.
The conference is open to Young Lawyers ONLY.
Conference Agenda
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Introduction & Welcome
Introduction by:
Ashley Firven,
LSBA District 6 Representative • Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP • Baton Rouge
Christina “Cristy” K. Guzman
, LSBA District 2 Representative • Jeffrey Hufft, Attorney at Law, LLC • Metairie
Official Welcome by Collin R. Melancon, LSBA YLD Chair •
Mansfield Melancon - Injury Lawyers • Baton Rouge
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. CLE Programming (Two 45-minute sessions) (Applied for 1.5 hour CLE credit)
Session One: 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. (Applied for CLE credit)
"The Art of Opening and Closing”
James M. Williams •
Chehardy, Sherman, Williams, Recile & Hayes, LLP • New Orleans
Session Two: 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. (Applied for 0.5 CLE credit)
“Rated E for Ethics: Navigating Professional Responsibility in the Digital Age” Anderson “Andy” O. Dotson •
Louisiana
Office of Disciplinary Counsel • New Orleans
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. “Take 15”
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. “In the Director’s Chair: Leading Legal Organizations in a Changing Industry”
(
Applied for 1 Hour CLE credit)
Moderated by: Jared E. Nelson,
LSBA District 3 Representative •
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith • Lafayette
Alejandro “Al” R. Perkins
• Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP • Baton Rouge
Andrea L. Albert
• Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith • New Orleans
Kristine M. Russell
• Lafourche Parish Attorney • Thibodaux
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. “Concession Break”
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CLE Programming (Two 45-minute sessions) (Applied for 1.5 hour CLE credit)
Moderated by: Cristina Pavelka, Marketing Director •
Mansfield Melancon - Injury Lawyers • Baton Rouge
Session One: 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
“Viral or Void: Social Media Advertising Without the Ethical Hangover”
Ross M. Leblanc •
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers • Baton Rouge
Lamont M. Hills •
Hills Daniels and Associates • Harvey
Taylor M. Burnham •
Burnham Law Firm • Gretna
Session Two: 12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
“Artificial Intelligence: Hype, Help, or Horror Story?”
Graham H. Ryan •
Jones Walker LLP • New Orleans
1:30 - 1:45 p.m. – “Reel Break”
1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Keynote Address “The Big Stage: Advocacy, Innovation, and Lessons from the Highest Court”
(Applied for 0.5 hour CLE credit)
Introduction by Collin R. Melancon, LSBA YLD Chair •
Mansfield Melancon - Injury Lawyers • Baton Rouge
Ben Aguiñaga, Solicitor General of Louisiana •
Louisiana Office of the Attorney General • New Orleans
2:45 - 4:00 p.m. Awards Reception
Registration Information
The Young Lawyers' Conference is open to Young Lawyers ONLY.
• Registration: $100
• Registration will close
Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Included in Registration:
• Continental Breakfast
• Conference attendance
• Lunch
• Young Lawyers Awards Ceremony
• Awards Reception
• Electronic course materials provided via link*
Final Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
*Important Note: A link to the conference materials will be emailed to your email on record with the LSBA prior to the conference. You may decide to print the materials in advance and bring with you or download to your electronic device to view in the seminar. If you choose to review the materials from your laptop or other electronic device, we strongly suggest you charge the battery, as electrical outlets may be limited. Internet access will not be available onsite. Professional attire is required.
Cancellations & Refunds (LSBA)
Cancellation of registration must be received in writing by the LSBA no later than
Monday. March 30, 2026. Cancellations will receive a full refund. Absolutely no refunds will be made after
Monday, March 30th
Questions?
For more information, contact:
Krystal Bellanger Rodriguez
Advertising & Communications Coordinator
kbellanger@lsba.org