LSBA: Who We Are And How We Serve Our MembersThe LSBA Member Outreach CLE Series focuses on familiarizing members with the LSBA and services provided. This CLE series is presented by the LSBA Outreach Committee in cooperation with the LSBA Board of Governors. This seminar has been approved for 1.00 Professionalism CLE credit.
Member Outreach CLE Seminars (lsba.org)
DEI Speakers Bureau SubcommitteeThe subcommittee works to build a repository of diverse speakers on not only diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics, but also substantive law topics.
The subcommittee recommends diversity programs and initiatives that can be integrated throughout the following: all LSBA programming, LSBA continuing legal education seminars, and programming offered by local and specialty bar associations. (Name change approved March 28, 2023).
The Facilitation Team is available to present on a range of pertinent topics in the legal profession including generational differences, bias, cultural competency, mentoring and barriers to inclusion. These CLE seminars have been approved for 1.00 Professionalism credit hour.
To become a member of the Facilitation Team, attorneys participate in a Train the Trainer workshop. This training is conducted by senior facilitation team members. Senior facilitation team members are volunteer attorneys that have presented at least five presentations for the LSBA.
The Train the Trainer - Facilitator Training Workshop is approved for 3.00 Professionalism CLE credit hours.
At the workshop, attorneys will: Increase your knowledge of unconscious bias that affects each one of us; Discover new ways to reduce bias; Learn how to help others become more culturally competent; Gain tools to promote diversity and inclusion through training; and boost your confidence in delivering effective CLE presentations.
Train the Trainer - Facilitator Training Workshop Agenda:
1. Discover why diversity and inclusion is important to the Louisiana State Bar Association
2. Increase level of understanding of why diversity and inclusion is important
3. Increase knowledge of diversity and inclusion; Increase skills to educate others about diversity and inclusion
- Self-awareness
- Understand and learn ways to reduce bias
- Increase cultural competence
- Understand stereotypes, prejudices, and cultural differences
4. Discover the value of valuing diversity and inclusion
5. Best Practices
- Learn to facilitate a discussion related to sensitive topics (Learn to respond to challenges when conducting presentations --What stories to tell; What stories not to tell)
- Strategies for audience engagement
Please consider becoming a LSBA Diversity Facilitator. If you are interested in joining us, please click here for more information.
Questions? Contact the Member Outreach and Diversity team at diversity@lsba.org.
Leadership LSBA Well-being in the Legal Profession Shreveport – March 25, 2025
On March 25, 2025, the 2024 - 2025 Leadership LSBA Class hosted the first seminar in its three-part Well-being in the Legal Profession series. The seminar occurred at the Hilton Shreveport in Shreveport, LA. The event featured insightful discussions led by members of the Leadership LSBA Class and a special presentation by Dr. Angela White-Bazile from the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP).
(Pictured L to R) Fernando B. Grider, Jr., Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office, Haynesville, LA; Dr. Angela White-Bazile, Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP), New Orleans, LA; Shelvia R. Davis, Grant Davis Law LLC, Shreveport, LA
LGBT Legal Issues CLE Seminar - February 13, 2025On February 13, 2025, a CLE seminar titled LGBT Legal Issues: Looking Back – Moving Forward was held at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. The LSBA Diversity Committee’s LGBT Subcommittee partnered with the law student group Lambda Law Alliance Student Bar Association. The seminar provided a historical overview of employment discrimination law as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community.
Photo on the Right
Susan F. Clade, Attorney at Law
Photo on the Left
(Picture L to R) Owen McCall, Diversity & Inclusion Chair; Andrew D Jones II, President; Susan F. Clade, Attorney at Law; Cole Delacruz, Vice President; and Ta'Jonn Morris, Communications Chair.
Investiture Ceremony, Associate Justice Guidry - January 19, 2025On January 19, 2025, an investiture ceremony was held to honor the Associate Justice John Michael Guidry. The ceremony was held at the Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge, LA.
Pictured (L to R): Patrick A. Talley, Jr., 2024-2025 Louisiana Bar Association President, Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P., New Orleans, LA.; Hon. John Michael Guidry, Associate Justice, Louisiana Supreme Court, Baton Rouge, LA.
LSBA Leadership Class Recognition – January 18, 2025 On January 18, 2025, the 2024-2025 Leadership LSBA Class was formally recognized during the House of Delegates meeting, held in conjunction with the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.
Pictured (L to R): Alex J. Domingue, Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, L.L.C., New Orleans, LA; Gray Williams II, Attorney at Law, Houston, TX; Hailey E. Manint, Legacy Estate and Elder Law of Louisiana, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA; Sarah M. Day, Pipes Miles Beckman LLC, New Orleans, LA; Kaylin E. Jolivette, Lewis Brisbon Bisgaard & Smith LLC, Lafayette, LA; Katelynn B. Courville, NeunerPate, Lafayette, LA; Catherine R. Filippi, Deutsch Kerrigan LLP, New Orleans, LA; Stephanie M. Poucher, 2024 – 2025 Leadership LSBA Class Co-Chair, Phelps Dunbar, L.L.C., New Orleans, LA; Casey C. Hollins, Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, L.L.P., Baton Rouge, LA; Shelvia R. Davis, Grant Gavis Law, LLC, Shreveport, LA; Nicole T. Bowyer, State Farm, New Orleans, LA; Dashia D. Myles, Wood Simth Henning & Berman LLP, New Orleans, LA; Fernando B. Grider, Jr., Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Haynesville, LA; Henry S. Rauschenberger, Jones Walker L.L.P., Baton Rouge, LA; Garret W. Wick, Clary Suba Neale, Baton Rouge, LA; Not pictured are Karina Shareen 2024 – 2025 Leadership LSBA Class Co-Chair, Deutsch Kerrigan LLP, New Orleans, LA; Thomas R. Hightower III, Thomas R. Hightower, Jr., APLC, Lafayette LA.
LSBA Midyear Meeting CLE Seminar – January 16, 2025The Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) Diversity Committee and Outreach Committee Member Outreach and Diversity Department hosted a CLE seminar on January 16, 2025, in conjunction with the LSBA’s Midyear Meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge, LA. This year’s seminar offered legal professionals complimentary Photo Bar ID cards and the opportunity to earn free CLE credit hours. The LSBA would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the speakers for their insightful presentations and to all attendees for their participation, which contributed to the success of the CLE seminar.
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Pictured: Ashley R. Hallene, Attorney at Law, Katy, TX, presented Technology Tips for Lawyers
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Pictured: Vickie S. Evans, Founder, & CEO, RedCape, Austin, TX, presented Microsoft Productivity Tips for Attorneys: Windows, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Photo on the Left
Pictured (L to R): Honorable Louise Hines, 19th Judicial District Court, Division F, Baton Rouge, LA; Kellen J. Mathews, Partner, Adams and Reese, LLP, New Orleans, LA; Honorable Colette M. Greggs, 19th Judicial District Court, Division J, Baton Rouge, LA, Professional Development Workshop Series: Take Command, Be Empowered, and Own Your Future
Lafayette Bar Association Court Opening - January 10, 2025On January 10, 2025, the Lafayette Bar Association (LBA) held its Court Opening at the 15th Judicial District Courthouse in Lafayette, LA. The Court Opening ceremony featured an introduction of new members by Kenny Hebert, LBA Young Lawyer Section President; an address to new attorneys from Patrick A. Talley Jr., 2024-2025 LSBA President; and a recognition of deceased attorneys by Stuart Breaux, LBA President.
Photo on the Left
Pictured (L to R): Judge Suzanne de Mahy, 16th Judicial District Court, Division B, Layfette, LA; Judge Durwood Conque (Ret.), 15th Judicial District Court, Division G, Lafayette, LA; Hearing Officer Geralyn Siefker, 15th Judicial District Court, Lafayette, LA; Judge Charles Fitzgerald, 16th Judicial District Court, Division B, Lafayette, LA; Judge Candance Perret, Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, Lafayette, LA; Judge Michelle Breaux, 15th Judicial District Court, Division E, Lafayette, LA; Judge Cynthia Spadoni, 15th Judicial District Court, Division L, Lafayette, LA; Judge F. Stanton Hardee III, Kaplan City Court, Kaplan, LA; Judge David Blanchet, 15th Judicial District Court, Division A, Lafayette, LA; Judge Phyllis Keaty (Ret.), Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, Lafayette, LA; Magistrate Judge David Ayo, United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA; Judge Valerie Gotch Garrett, 15th Judicial District Court, Division B, Lafayette, LA; Commissioner Andre Doguet, 15th Judicial District Court, Lafayette, LA; Chief Judge Susan Theall, 15th Judicial District Court, Division M, Lafayette, LA; Judge Robert Summerhays, United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA.
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Pictured: Patrick A. Talley, Jr., 2024-2025 Louisiana State Bar Association President, Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P., New Orleans, LA.
New Orleans Bar Association’s 100th Annual Dinner Celebration – November 21, 2024
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the New Orleans Bar Association hosted its 100
th Annual Dinner Meeting. During the event, Thomas M. Flanagan was installed as the new president, alongside the newly appointed board of directors. The evening also honored members who have reached the milestone of 50 years in the association and featured the presentation of the prestigious Arceneaux Professionalism Award, recognizing outstanding commitment to ethical practice and professionalism in the legal field.
(Photo Top Right)
(Pictured left to Right): Thomas M. Flanagan, 2025 - 2026 New Orleans Bar Association President, Flanagan Partners LLP, New Orleans, LA; Stephen J. Herman 2024 – 2025 New Orleans Bar Association President, Fishman Haygood, LLP, New Orleans, LA
(Top Right Photo)
Top row (Pictured left to right): Eric Winder Sella, Plauché Maselli Parkerson LLP, New Orleans, LA; Shannon S. Holtzman, Liskow & Lewis, APLC, New Orleans, LA; Andrew R. Lee, Jones Walker LLP, New Orleans, LA; Kelly Juneau Rookard, 2025 – 2026 New Orleans Bar Association Vice President, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, LLC, New Orleans, LA; and Cayce C. Peterson, JJC Law LLC, New Orleans, LA
Second row (Pictured left to right): Nairda T. “Lesa” Colón, Frilot, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Helena N. Henderson, New Orleans Bar Association’s Executive Director, Cherrell Simms Taplin, Liskow & Lewis, APLC, New Orleans, LA; Gerard J. Gaudet, Adams and Reese, LLP, New Orleans, LA
Third row (Pictured left to right): Valerie E. Fontenot, Jones Walker LLP, New Orleans, LA; Colleen C. Jarrott, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP, New Orleans, LA; Hon. Eva J. Dossier, 2025 – 2026 New Orleans Bar Association Vice President, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA; Angelina “Angie” Christina, McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC, New Orleans, LA
Bottom row (Pictured left to right): Nicholas J. Wehlen, Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Tessa P. Vorhaben, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, New Orleans, LA; Stephen J. Herman, 2024 – 2025 New Orleans Bar Association President, Fishman Haygood, LLP, New Orleans, LA; Thomas M. Flanagan, 2025 - 2026 New Orleans Bar Association President, Flanagan Partners LLP, New Orleans, LA; Lawrence G. Pugh III, 2025- 2026 New Orleans Bar Association President-Elect, Pugh, Accardo, Haas, Radecker & Carey, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Christopher K. Ralston, Phelps Dunbar, LLP, New Orleans, LA
(Photo Bottom Left)
(Pictured left to right): Gerald E. Meunier, Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Hon. Ivan L.R. LemelleU.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA; Philip K. “Kirk” Jones, Jr., Liskow & Lewis, APLC, New Orleans, LA; William E. “Bill” Wright, Jr., Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP, New Orleans, LA
(Photo Bottom Right)
Top row ( Pictured left to right): Taylor Burnham, 2025 – 2026 Young Lawyers Section Vice-Chair, Burnham Law Firm, New Orleans, LA; Matthew R. Slaughter, Flanagan Partners LLP, New Orleans, LA; Jose R. Ruiz, Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP, New Orleans, LA
Second row (Pictured left to right): Margaret L. Manning, Stanley, Reuter, Alford, Owen, Munson, and Paul LLC, New Orleans, LA; Virginia P. Stewart, Phelps Dunbar, LLP, New Orleans, LA; Hayley M. Landry, Liskow & Lewis, APLC, New Orleans, LA; Justine M. Ware, Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP, New Orleans, LA
Bottom row (Pictured left to right): Jennifer Gordon Lampton, 2025 -2026 Young Lawyers Section Chair-Elect, 4th Circuit Court of Appeal, New Orleans, LA; Katherine L. Swartout, 2025 – 2026 Young Lawyers Section Vice-Chair; Pipes Miles Beckman, LLC, New Orleans, LA; Gerard J. Gaudet 2024 – 2025 Young Lawyers Section Chair, Adams and Reese, LLP, New Orleans, LA
Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions, Admission Ceremony – October 21, 2024 On October 21, 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions held an Admission Ceremony for candidates who met all qualifications after passing the bar examination in July 2024. The Admission Ceremony was held at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, LA.
Pictured (L to R): Hon. John C. Davidson (Ret.), 2024-2025 Louisiana Bar Foundation President, Alexandria, LA; Associate Justice Piper D. Griffin, Louisiana Supreme Court, Seventh District, New Orleans, LA; Chief Justice John L. Weimer III, Louisiana Supreme Court, Sixth District, New Orleans, LA; Patrick A. Talley, Jr., 2024-2025 Louisiana Bar Association President, Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P., New Orleans, LA.
Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions, Admission Ceremony – October 21, 2024 On October 21, 2024, the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions held an Admission Ceremony for candidates who met all qualifications after passing the bar examination in July 2024. The Admission Ceremony was held at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center in Kenner, LA.
Pictured (L to R): Hon. John C. Davidson (Ret.), 2024-2025 Louisiana Bar Foundation President, Alexandria, LA; Associate Justice Piper D. Griffin, Louisiana Supreme Court, Seventh District, New Orleans, LA; Chief Justice John L. Weimer III, Louisiana Supreme Court, Sixth District, New Orleans, LA; Patrick A. Talley, Jr., 2024-2025 Louisiana Bar Association President, Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P., New Orleans, LA.
4th Judicial District Opening of Court – September 6, 2024 On September 6, 2024, the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association held its opening of court at the Ouachita Parish Courthouse. The event featured a welcome to new members of the bar and a memorial for deceased members.
Top: Pictured (L to R):Front – Hon. H. Stephens Winters, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division D, Monroe, LA; Hon. Frederick D. Jones, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division G; Hon. Robert C. Johnson, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division J, Monroe, LA; Chief Judge Larry D. Jefferson, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division H, Monroe, LA; Hon. Sharon I. Marchman, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division B, Monroe, LA; Hon. Jefferson B. Joyce, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division K, Monroe, LA.
Back— Hon. C. Wendell Manning, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division F, Monroe, LA; Associate Justice Jay B. McCallum, Louisiana Supreme Court, Fourth District, Farmerville, LA; Hon. Daniel J. Ellender, Second Circuit Court of Appeal, First District, Section 2, Division B, Monroe, LA; Hon. Angie D. Sturdivant, Monroe City Court, Monroe, LA; Hon. Alvin R. Sharp, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division I, Monroe, LA; Hon. J. Wilson Rambo, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division C, Monroe, LA; Hon. Walter M. Caldwell, IV, 4
th Judicial District Court, Division E, Monroe, LA.
Bottom: Pictured (L to R): Tyler J.R. Sanderson, Director, 4
th Judicial District Bar Association, Sanderson Legal Solutions LLC, Monroe, LA; Leah D. Sumrall, President, 4
th Judicial District Bar Association, LaSalle Management Company, L.L.C., Ruston, LA.
Southwest Louisiana Bar Association Court Opening – October 18, 2024On October 18, 2023, the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association (SWLBA) held its Fall Court Ceremony. The event was a joint ceremony for the 14
th, 36
th, and 38
th Judicial District Courts. The Fall Court Ceremony featured eulogies in memory of recently deceased attorneys; a welcome from Lee Hoffoss, SWLBA President; an introduction of new members by Brooke Roach, SWLBA YLS President; and the presentation of the Jim Ortego Pro Bono Award and the Charles A. Downing Humanitarian Award.
Pictured: J. Lee Hoffoss, Jr., 2024-2025 Southwest Louisiana Bar Association President, Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers, LLC, Lake Charles, LA.