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Louisiana State Bar Association News


Centola, Jones Nominated for LSBA Leadership Positions
Lawrence J. "Larry" Centola of New Orleans and Carrie LeBlanc Jones of Baton Rouge have been nominated for 2026-27 LSBA president-elect and 2026-28 LSBA treasurer, respectively. Centola is a Principal of Martell, Bickford & Centola in New Orleans. Jones is of counsel at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP of Baton Rouge. The president-elect will automatically assume the presidency in 2027-28. 


Cassagne, Guzman Nominated for YLD Leadership Positions
Christina “Cristy” Guzman was nominated for the position of LSBA’s Young Lawyer Division 2026-27 Secretary. Current Secretary Rachal Cox Cassagne of Gretna will automatically assume the post of 2025-26 YLD chair-elect. Cassagne is with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Gretna and Guzman is with Jeffrey Hufft Law Firm of Metairie.  

LSBA Stress Management and the Practice of Law Workshop scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025
Is the Practice of Law too Stressful? Join the LSBA Stress Management and the Practice of Law Workshop on Sept. 23, 2025, from 10:00 to Noon at the LSBA Bar Center in New Orleans, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans LA 70130. This in-person 2.0 Hour Professionalism CLE is designed to give attorneys the tools they need to cope with the incredible stresses that come with the modern practice of law. Dr. Angela White-Bazile, Esq., Executive Director of the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, presents solutions and imparts skills to best handle the issues of attorney stress, depression, and burnout. If you or someone you know is interested in improving their quality of life as a lawyer, please register with Wendy Roberts or call 504-619-0135. This CLE is free, but space is extremely limited and will fill up fast.

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



Young Lawyers Division: Committee Service Opportunities
The LSBA YLD invites young lawyers to apply for committee service in the coming year. There are a limited number of positions available on each committee, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply. Click here to apply today. Learn more at www.lsba.org/YLD.

Self-Qualifying Period Opens Sept. 15 and Ends Oct. 13
For the 2025-26 election cycle, balloting will be conducted electronically only, as approved by the LSBA Board of Governors and provided for in the Association’s Articles of Incorporation. No paper ballots will be provided.
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Attorney Volunteers Needed for Wills for Heroes Events
The Wills for Heroes program focuses on providing wills, powers of attorney and living wills to first responders (police officers, firefighters and EMS) at no cost. Learn more and sign up at: http://www.lsba.org/yld.
The LSBA Young Lawyers Division is seeking attorney volunteers to participate in Wills for Heroes events: 
September 30 • 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office in Plaquemine, Louisiana
 
October 1st • 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office in Plaquemine, Louisiana


Professionalism Speakers' Workshop Set for Oct. 16, 2025
The LSBA Committee on the Profession’s Professionalism Speakers’ Workshop is set for 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M., Thursday, October 16th, 2025, at the LSBA Bar Center, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA. The Professionalism Speakers’ Workshop is a free, in-person, 2.5 hour, Professionalism CLE designed to assist lawyers in becoming more prepared to speak on topics involving professionalism in the practice of law.  Anyone interested in becoming a better speaker on professionalism topics should register for this free highly interactive workshop. The CLE is free, but space is extremely limited. For more information or to register, contact Connie Sabio.

LBLS Accepting Applications for Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy Law Certification through September 30, 2025
The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) is accepting applications for board certification in business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law through Sept. 30, 2025.
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LSBA Young Lawyer Division Awards Coming Soon
Spotlight a standout Young Lawyer! Nominations for the 2025 YLD awards will open in early October. Start gathering names and accomplishments now, and visit the YLD website (www.lsba.org/yld)  in early October for criteria and how to submit.



New Admittees Reception
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Louisiana State Bar Association will host a New Admittees Reception at the Louisiana Bar Center in New Orleans. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., guests will gather to welcome the newest members of the Bar and celebrate this important milestone in their legal careers. Please click here to RSVP by Tuesday, November 4, 2025.


House Resolution Deadline is Dec. 15 for 2026 Midyear Meeting
The LSBA’s Midyear Meeting is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 22-24, 2026, at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. The deadline for submitting resolutions for the House of Delegates meeting is Monday, Dec. 15. (The House will meet on Jan. 24, 2026.) Resolutions by House members and committee and section chairs should be mailed to LSBA Secretary Bradley J. Tate, c/o Louisiana Bar Center, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130-3404. All resolutions proposed to be considered at the meeting must be received on or before Dec. 15. Resolutions must be signed by the author. Also, copies of all resolutions should be emailed (in MS Word format) to LSBA Governance Coordinator Jen France at jen.france@lsba.org.


Reminder: MCLE Compliance Deadline is Dec. 31, 2025
The deadline for earning mandatory continuing legal education credits is Dec. 31, 2025.

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Board Certified Specialists & 2025 Applicants: 4 Hours of “Computer-Based CLE” Credits Allowed for 2025
For the 2025 compliance period ending Dec. 31, 2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court has set the limitation for “computer-based CLE” at 4.0 hours annually (as defined in Rule 3(d) of Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XXX.)

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Disability Law Attorneys: Join the LSBA Disabilities Assistance Network (DAN)
The LSBA Disabilities Assistance Network (DAN) is a free public directory for Louisiana attorneys who focus on disability-related legal matters.

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“Find Legal Help” Portal Expands to Include Disabilities Assistance Network (DAN)
The Louisiana State Bar Association has expanded its Find Legal Help portal to include the Disabilities Assistance Network (DAN) — a directory of attorneys who assist with disability-related legal issues. This free, public resource connects individuals with licensed Louisiana lawyers by parish and area of practice. The update reflects LSBA’s continued commitment to improving access to justice for all individuals, including persons with disabilities. Click here to visit.


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.

Phishing Alert: Fraudulent Emails Targeting LSBA Members
We have received reports that fraudulent phishing emails are being sent to LSBA members. These emails appear to come from LSBA Officers and may request sensitive information or payment. Do not respond, click any links, or provide any information. If you receive one of these emails, delete it immediately and block the sender. These messages are not legitimate and are being sent from unauthorized, deceptive email addresses.

Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
(800) 421-LSBA(5722) / (504) 566-1600