House of Delegates to Consider Four Resolutions at Jan. 24 Meeting
The Louisiana State Bar Association’s (LSBA) House of Delegates will consider four resolutions and other business items at its Midyear Meeting scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.
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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.
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Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Rule Updates and Enhanced Electronic Filing System
On Dec. 22, 2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order that repealed and re-enacted Rules I through XII and XLII, repealed Rule XIV, and adopted new Appendices G-1 and G-2, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The changes modernize court procedures and enhance electronic filing for attorneys practicing before the Louisiana Supreme Court.
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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.  
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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.

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Online Registration Open for 2026 Midyear Meeting in Baton Rouge
Online registration is open for the LSBA’s Midyear Meeting, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 22-24, 2026, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, 7000 Bluebonnet Blvd. Registration for the Midyear Meeting is free. Pre-registration is required for the free CLEs scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22. Click here to register online and to review meeting programming.

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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. 

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Judge Darrel Papillion to Present 2026 Rubin Lecture at LSU Law
U.S. District Judge Darrel Papillion of the Eastern District of Louisiana will deliver the 2026 Rubin Visiting Professor of Law Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lod Cook Alumni Center in Baton Rouge.
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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. 

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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.

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Louisiana Supreme Court Revises MCLE Age-Based Exemption Effective Jan. 1, 2026
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XXX of the Rules for Continuing Legal Education, modifying the long-standing age-based exemption for attorneys. The change, effective January 1, 2026, reflects the reality that many attorneys are practicing well past traditional retirement age, while also acknowledging the corresponding unique challenges faced by those attorneys. 
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Deadlines, Requirements & Transcript Reminder: MCLE Compliance Deadline is Dec. 31, 2025

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LA Board of Legal Specialization Will Accept Applications for Board Certification Through Feb. 28, 2026
The LBLS is accepting applications for board certification in seven (7) areas — appellate practice, employment law, estate planning and administration, family law, health law, labor law, and tax law - from November 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. The LBLS is accepting applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification from January 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026.

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CLE Compliance for Board Certified Specialists Deadline December 31, 2025
CLE Compliance deadline for Board Certified Specialists is December 31, 2025; CLE must be Reported to MCLE no later than January 31, 2026 to avoid penalties.

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Free Trust Accounting & Billing Software by Smokeball

The Louisiana State Bar Association Partners with Smokeball to Grant All Members Free Access to Trust and Billing Software

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IRS Sets 2026 Mileage Rate for Business Purposes
The Internal Revenue Service has set the 2026 mileage rate for business purposes at $0.725 per mile, effective Jan. 1, 2026. 

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2026 Judicial Interest Rate is 7.5%

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New YLD Podcast Debuts
The LSBA Young Lawyers Division has introduced a new podcast featuring discussions with YLD leaders. Click here to find out more on the YLD page. 
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Attorneys Apply for Recertification as Legal Specialists

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, notice is hereby given that the following attorneys have applied for recertification as legal specialists for the period January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030. Any person wishing to comment upon the qualifications of any applicant should submit his or her comments to the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 or maryann.wegmann@lsba.org, no later than Friday, December 19, 2025.

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Attorneys Apply for Certification as Legal Specialists

Pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, notice is hereby given that the following attorneys have applied for certification as a legal specialist. Any person wishing to comment upon the qualifications of any applicant should submit his/her comments to the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130, c/o Mary Ann Wegmann, Specialization Director, no later than December 19, 2025.

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Louisiana Bar Center to Close for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The Louisiana Bar Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20.

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Nominations Open for Pro Bono Publico and Children's Law Awards
The LSBA’s Access to Justice Department announced that the nomination period is open for the 2026 Pro Bono Publico and Children's Law Awards. The nomination deadline is Feb. 20, 2026. Click here for more information on the awards (including criteria and procedures) and to access nomination forms. For assistance, contact ATJ Coordinator Bridget Berins. 

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Nominations Open Online for Trailblazer Award, Guardian of Diversity Award
The LSBA’s Member Outreach and Diversity Department announced that the nomination period is open online for the Trailblazer Award and the Guardian of Diversity Award. Nomination deadlines are Feb. 27, 2026, for both awards. For more information on the awards (including criteria and procedures) and to access nomination forms, go online: http://www.lsba.org/Members/Awards.aspx. Then click on “Diversity and Inclusion Awards.” Or email the Member Outreach and Diversity Department at diversity@lsba.org.

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Online Application Portal Open for 2026 Suit Up Program
Do You Know Any High School Students Interested in the Legal Profession? Applications are now being accepted for the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Suit Up for the Future High School Summer Legal Institute and Intern Program, scheduled for June 8–26, 2026. The application deadline is May 4, 2026, for high school juniors, seniors, and students entering their first year of college in Fall 2026. Students may access the online application portal at www.lsba.org/goto/suitup.

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Job Shadowing Opportunities Available for 2026 Suit Up for the Future Program
Legal professionals are being asked to participate in job shadowing opportunities. During the program’s second week (June 15–19, 2026), students will be provided with an opportunity to job shadow attorneys at firms, courts, and agencies. This is an opportunity for students to see what attorneys do daily and to spend one-on-one time with them in the workplace. Attorneys in the greater New Orleans area who are interested in hosting one or more students should contact the LSBA Member Outreach and Diversity team at diversity@lsba.org.

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LBF Seeking Nominations for 2026 Boisfontaine Award
The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) is seeking nominations for the 2026 Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award. Nominations must be received in the LBF office by Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Nominations should include the nominee’s name, contact information, a brief written statement on the background of the nominee, and reasons why the nominee is proposed as the award recipient.  Nominations should be forwarded to Dennette Young at the LBF, 601 Poydras St., Suite 1777, New Orleans, LA 70130, or emailed to dennette@raisingthebar.org by the deadline. Learn more online here.

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ABA TECHSHOW 2026 Returns to Chicago, Showcasing Future of Legal Tech
The ABA TECHSHOW returns March 25-28, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. LSBA members registering with the discount code, EP2603, receive $100 off standard registration. TECHSHOW 2026 is your gateway to harnessing AI’s true potential and learning all things related to the future of legal tech. For more information or to register, visit the website.

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Free Photo Bar IDs Offered at Midyear Meeting
The LSBA is offering free Photo Bar IDs to members who have not previously been issued one. Attorneys must be in good standing. Photo Bar IDs will be available in the foyer of the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. as well as on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.

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Mandatory Bar Challenge
A member of the Louisiana State Bar Association filed suit against the LSBA, the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Justices of the Court on August 1, 2019, challenging mandatory bar membership on First and Fourteenth amendment grounds.

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