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17th Annual Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession


General Information

August 8, 2025
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, 2 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA


The LSBA’s inclusion of a program in its CLE programming is not to be deemed a statement or an endorsement of the views expressed therein by the LSBA or any member of the LSBA. Speakers on LSBA programs were carefully selected for their knowledge, but neither the LSBA nor the speaker warrant that the presentations or materials were free of errors, or will continue to be accurate. Statements in the presentations and their materials should be verified before relying on them. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the LSBA, its sections, or committees. Views expressed are those of the authors and contributors only.

 


Registration:
Registration (BEFORE July 11, 2025) $110
Registration (AFTER July 11, 2025) $135



The LSBA is not responsible for any expenses associated with travel, lodging, or other costs incurred by the registrant. This also applies in the event that the LSBA must cancel the conference for any reason. 

Audio or video recording or transcription of any portion of the conference is prohibited unless express consent is granted by the LSBA. 

ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE

The LSBA must adhere to facility capacity constraints, so please indicate during the registration process if you will attend the Excellence in Diversity reception. 

Registration Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to diversity@lsba.org. 

Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. Cancellations received in writing by July 25, 2025, will be fully refunded minus a $30.00 administrative fee. If written confirmation of cancellation is not received by July 25, 2025, no refunds or credits will be issued of any kind. Credits will be processed within two weeks of the cancellation request. 

On-site Registration Policy:  
It is the policy of the LSBA that NO CASH shall be accepted for any transaction. Payment may be made by personal check or via the LSBA registration portal if open on the day of registration. 

Online
Attorney Registration
Paper Registration
Louisiana Attorney/Out of State Attorney Form 
Paper Registration
Non-Attorney Form
Paper Registration
Student Form
Sponsorship
Opportunities 
Exhibitor Opportunities Are Available
View Fees and Details

 

Speaker Highlights
Plenary Session One
Kira H. Banks, Professor, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Navigating Backlash and Going Beyond Best Practices

This session will explore the ways that backlash to DEI has shaped the field. Going beyond best practices, we will discuss frameworks that can help law schools and first address concerns in the current climate. The importance of psychological safety amidst changing dynamics will also be discussed. Reflection questions will encourage participants to more deeply understand their spheres of influence.  
Disability Rights Louisiana
Louisiana Bar Foundation
Maps Mediation & Arbitration
Luncheon
SOUP STARTER
Chicken-Andouille Sausage Gumbo, White Rice

OR

Vegetarian
Chef's Seasonal Vegetable Soup

ENTRÉE
Thyme Basted Free Range Chicken Breast - Crushed Red Potatoes, Mississippi Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots, Port Wine Reduction

OR

Oven Roasted Local Redfish - Haricot Vert, Pomme Gratin, Parsley Mosaic Sauce

OR

Vegan
Roasted Cauliflower Steak 
Garlic Tahini, Garbanzo Salad, Za'atar and Citrus Vinaigrette

   
DESSERT
Vanilla Mascarpone Cheesecake, Oven Roasted Strawberries, Buttered Saltine Crunch

OR

Vegetarian
Miniature Sliced Fresh Fruit Bowl
Special Requirements / Questions
Please contact the LSBA if you have a disability, dietary restrictions or a food allergy which may require special accommodations at this conference. The LSBA is committed to ensuring full accessibility for all registrants. 

Lactation Room
A lactation room for breastfeeding individuals to express milk while attending conclave is available. You are responsible for requesting access to the space and following the guidelines for use.

Lactation Room Guidelines:
Attendee must request use of the room via email at diversity@lsba.org.

Please provide name, LSBRN, phone number, time room is needed and length of time that lactation room is needed.

Pumping equipment: Should you choose to leave any items in the room, know that these are not the responsibility of LSBA or host hotel.

Please keep the space neat and orderly. If there is a cleaning issue, please report the issue to LSBA staff at the check-in desk.

If you have any additional comments or questions regarding lactation space or access, please email the Member Outreach and Diversity team at diversity@lsba.org.


Questions?
Contact the Member Outreach and Diversity team members by email at diversity@lsba.org. 
Hotel Information
The LSBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans at a discounted rate of $250 per night (excluding taxes and fees). You are urged to make reservations early, as there are only a limited number of rooms available at the discounted rate listed above. The LSBA room block is reserved for conference attendees only.

Make Hotel Reservations
Hotel cancellation policy:
All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card by July 8, 2025 and the credit card will be charged a deposit of night's room and tax when the reservations are made. Any request received after July 8, 2025 will be handled on a space and rate availability basis only. Please note that if your plans changed and you do not timely cancel your room reservation by 3:00 p.m.on August 4, 2025 you are responsible for the room charge.  


Wi-Fi Access
Wireless access will be available in the conference area and main lobby. Please note, electrical outlets will be limited. 

Excellence in Diversity Reception

The Excellence in Diversity Reception honoring Sponsors will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans at 8:00 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.  Speakers, sponsors, and registrants are invited to attend. 

 

We hope you can join us and look forward to your continued support of the LSBA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.

 

 


Agenda
5.00 CLE Credit Hour(s) 


Time:Details:
8:00 a.m. Registrant Check-in
Plimsoll Ballroom Foyer, 3rd Floor
8:00 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
Excellence in Diversity Reception honoring Sponsors 
Plimsoll Ballroom Foyer, 3rd Floor

Open to speakers, sponsors, and registrants 



8:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
 Acknowledgments
Sponsor Recognition/Sponsor Representative Photos
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor
  • Demarcus J. Gordon, Partner, Kelly Hart & Pitre, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Chair
  • Kellen J. Mathews, Partner, Adams and Reese, L.L.P., New Orleans, LA, Conclave Co-Chair
  • Monica M. Vela-Vick, The Dugan Law Firm, APLC, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Co-Chair

  • Co-Chairs, LSBA Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession
  • Chair and Co-Chairs, Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession
9:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. Recognition and Introduction of Chief Justice John L. Weimer III, Louisiana Supreme Court
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor
  • Demarcus J. Gordon, Partner, Kelly Hart & Pitre, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Chair
9:05 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.                         Welcoming Remarks 
  • Chief Justice John L. Weimer III, Louisiana Supreme Court, New Orleans, LA
9:10 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
 Welcoming Remarks 
Introduction of Plenary Session One Speaker
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor
  • Demarcus J. Gordon, Partner, Kelly Hart & Pitre, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Chair
9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
 Plenary Session One - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
1.00 Professionalism Credit Hour 
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Navigating Backlash and Going Beyond Best Practices 

This session will explore the ways that backlash to DEI has shaped the field. Going beyond best practices, we will discuss frameworks that can help law schools and firms address concerns in the current climate. The importance of psychological safety amidst changing dynamics will also be discussed. Reflection questions will encourage participants to more deeply understand their spheres of influence.

  • Dr. Kira H. Banks, Professor, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
10:20 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
 Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
 Plenary Session Two -  Immigration
1.00 Professionalism Credit Hour
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor

From Policy to Practice: What Private Attorneys Need to Know About Immigration Law Today

With immigration enforcement ramping up dramatically and federal policies constantly shifting, this session is tailored for attorneys from mid- to large-sized civil firms who wish to deepen their knowledge and engagement. A panel comprised of former government attorneys, civil rights defenders, and impact litigators will examine evolving threats to due process, local enforcement trends, and how law firms can play an influential role in defending immigrant rights. Through firsthand stories and strategic insights, panelists unpack today’s most pressing immigration challenges and connect them to opportunities for strategic involvement. Whether advising corporate clients or championing pro bono cases, attendees will discover how their skills can be put to use in the current climate.


  • Paul H. "Woody"  Scott, Moderator, The Scott Law Firm LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Danielle V. Hernadez, Founder, DVH Law Group, Tampa, Fl
  • Erin C. Herbert, Ware | Immigration, Metairie, LA
  • Mich P. González, Co-founder, Sanctuary of the South (SOS), New Orleans, LA 
11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

 Transition Break
11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Luncheon, Presentations, Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession Award
River Ballroom, 3rd Floor

11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Introduction of Recipient of Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession Award

  • Demarcus J. Gordon, Partner, Kelly Hart & Pitre, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Chair

12:00 p.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
  • Demarcus J. Gordon, Partner, Kelly Hart & Pitre, New Orleans, LA, Conclave Chair
12:10 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
 Keynote Session
1.00 Professionalism Credit Hour
River Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Equity-Focused Leadership as a Form of Resistance

We are facing what appears to be unprecedented challenges as citizens and lawyers. Professor Angela A. Allen-Bell discourages episodic outrage and retreat as a response.  During her keynote, she will situate today’s headlines in their historical context, and she will explain the necessity of participants leading in equity-centered ways at this moment of reflection and responsibility. She will demonstrate how participants, in so doing, can become impactful and empowering forces in the profession and beyond.

  • Angela A. Allen-Bell, B. K. Agnihotri Endowed Professor, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
1:10 p.m. - 1:20 p.m. Transition Break
1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.            
Plenary Session Three – Best Practices
1.00 Ethics Credit Hour 
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor


Beyond the Buzz: Practical, Ethical AI for Lawyers

Generative AI has dominated headlines, but what does it actually mean for your legal practice—and your ethical obligations? In this session, Greg Siskind, a practicing attorney and legal AI platform founder, cuts through the hype to explore real-world applications of AI in law firms today. The program will focus on the intersection of AI use and professional responsibility, covering key concerns such as competence, confidentiality, supervision, and unauthorized practice of law. With practical examples from daily law practice, this presentation will demystify AI tools, explain how lawyers are already using them ethically, and explore how these technologies can enhance—not undermine—access to justice.
  • Greg Siskind, Co-founding Partner, Siskind Susser, PC, Memphis, TN 
2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Networking Break 
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Plenary Session Four - Best Practices
1.00 Professionalism Credit Hour
Plimsoll Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Legal Aid's Innovation Imperative: Building Sustainable Technology to Broaden Legal Access

Legal aid organizations are often seen as under-resourced and overburdened — yet across the country, they’re leading transformative work through intentional innovation. This panel brings together legal aid leaders who are embedding tech into their workflows, building internal innovation labs, partnering with universities and funders, and creating repeatable solutions to meet the urgent needs of marginalized communities.

Discover how these teams are developing AI tools, reshaping intake systems, and sharing expertise across state lines — all while navigating the constraints of limited funding and misunderstood board expectations. From building a culture of innovation to investing for the long game, this panel invites law firm allies to reimagine what legal aid really means — and how to be part of its evolution. This session will demystify how legal aid organizations move from survival to strategy.

  • Kirra Jarratt, Chief Executive Officer, DC Bar Foundation, Washington, DC
  • Scheree M. Gilchrist, Chief Innovation Officer, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC
  • Susan StVincent, Chief Operating Officer, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 

Materials

The LSBA is working on ways to reduce the amount of paper we use at conferences and symposia.  This is an effort both to be responsible toward our environment and to increase the quality and timeliness of the resources provided through this learning experience. 

To view the course materials for this year's Conclave, please click the download link beside a session title below to obtain the materials available for that session.  We recommend that you do so PRIOR to the conference. 

If you choose to review the materials from an electronic device, we strongly suggest that you charge the device's battery, as electrical outlets are limited. 

9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. – Plenary Session One 
   
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Plenary Session Two 
   

12:10 p.m.- 1:10 p.m. – Keynote Speaker
   
1:20 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. – Plenary Session Three 
   
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Plenary Session Four

   

 Speaker Biographies

Dignitaries
   
   
   
      
      
      
Plenary Session One
   
 

 

 


 

 

Plenary Session Two 
   
     
 Keynote Speaker
   
   
Plenary Session Three 
   
   
   
Plenary Session Four 
   
   
   

Thank You to Our Sponsors...

The LSBA Diversity Committee and Conclave Subcommittee would like to take the time to thank all of our generous sponsors and co-hosts who support the Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession. 

Sponsorship Form

Corporate Breakfast Level

Jones Walker, L.L.P.


Platinum Plus Level

Deutsch Kerrigan, L.L.P.


Platinum Level

Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P.

Kelly Hart & Pitre

LSBA Civil Law & Litigation Section

Kean Miller LLP


Gold Level

Fishman Haygood, L.L.P.

Louisiana District Judges Association

McCranie, Sistrunk, Anzelmo, Hardy, McDaniel & Welch, LLC

Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.

LSBA Trusts, Estate, Probate and Immovable Property Law Section

Christovich & Kearney, L.L.P.


Silver Level

Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C.

Laborde Siegel, LLC

Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc.

Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, L.L.C.

Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert L.L.C.

Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., Greater New Orleans Chapter Foundation


Conclave Coffee Service Sponsor Only Two (2) Available *No longer available*

LSBA Inclusive Practice Section

Blue Williams, L.L.C.


Bronze Level

Manning Gross & Massenburg LLP

Taylor Porter Brooks & Philips, L.L.P.

Courington Kiefer Sommers Marullo & Matherne, L.L.C.

Louisiana Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Inc.  

The Kullman Firm APLC

Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel

LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center

 

Corporate Breakfast

Time:Details:
8:00 a.m. Registrant Check-in
Magnolia Room, 3rd Floor
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Corporate Breakfast, Pitch Perfect Session
Magnolia Room, 3rd Floor
1.00 CLE Credit Hour

The Connect is a dynamic networking and strategy session designed to foster meaningful engagement between outside counsel—seeking to establish or strengthen relationships with corporate clients—and in-house counsel, who hold unique insights into how legal partnerships are formed, assessed, and sustained.

This session highlights how in-house counsel evaluate law firms based on factors such as talent development, diversity of thought, and alignment with workplace equity priorities, providing practical guidance for outside counsel looking to deliver value and deepen collaboration.

CLOSED SESSION – INVITATION ONLY – SPONSORS 
One representative from each organization may attend.

  • Cory J. Vidal, Moderator, Corporate Counsel & Senior Vice President, Hancock Whitney Bank, New Orleans, LA
  • Nicholas "Nick" Austin, Senior Corporate Counsel, Microsoft, Washington, DC 
  • Camille R. Bryant, Assistant General Counsel, Ochsner Health, New Orleans, LA 
  • Reginald "Reggie" Johnson, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer, Signet Jewelers, Dallas, TX
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
 (800) 421-LSBA(5722) / (504) 566-1600