LSBA Home
LSBA Menu

Louisiana State Bar Association News


BESE Seeking Applications for Disciplinary Hearing Officers
The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is accepting applications for qualified individuals interested in serving as Disciplinary Hearing Officers (DHOs). Qualified applicants include Louisiana-licensed attorneys, qualified mediators, approved arbitrators and retired members of the judiciary. Applicants previously included on the BESE Designated Hearing Officer list must reapply to remain on the list. The deadline to apply is Nov. 6, 2026. Click here for additional information and the application.

More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Rule on Bail Proceedings
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XXVII, Section 4(d), addressing procedures when courts lack complete information about an arrested individual’s existing bail obligations. The revised rule allows the court to schedule a contradictory hearing within 30 days rather than immediately revoke bail in certain cases. Click here to read this Order of the Court signed September 14, 2026.


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. 

More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Judicial Budgetary Control Board Rules
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Part G, Section 4(a) of the General Administrative Rules of the Louisiana Supreme Court governing the Judicial Budgetary Control Board, expanding and clarifying the board’s membership and terms of service. Under the revised rule, the board will consist of 13 voting members, including representatives from the Supreme Court, courts of appeal and district courts, with at least one district judge from a court or division with exclusively family or juvenile jurisdiction. The changes also clarify the roles of ex-officio, non-voting members and limit appointed judges to two successive three-year terms. The amendment takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Click here for the official notice.

LSBA Members Approve Reduction in Size of House of Delegates
Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) members approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation reducing the size of the House of Delegates by roughly half following the close of voting on July 27. Implementation of these changes begins with the 2026-2027 election cycle, when the membership will elect delegates from the 20th through 42nd Judicial Districts. Implementation continues with the 2027-2028 election cycle, when the membership will elect delegates from the 1st through 19th Judicial Districts.


Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Rules on Judicial Expense Reimbursements
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Part G, Section 1.3 of its General Administrative Rules governing reimbursement claims by district judges. The revised rule clarifies documentation, recordkeeping and monthly submission requirements for office and travel expenses and establishes responsibilities for designated court personnel. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027. This Order of the Court was signed on Sept. 14, 2026.


Lawyers in Libraries Seeks Volunteers, Sign-up Deadline Sept. 25
Volunteers needed for the LSBA’s Lawyers in Libraries 2026 events, which are taking place October 26-31, 2026, in conjunction with National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. During this week, there will be a variety of ways attorneys can get involved to give back to their community.

More...

House Resolution Deadline is Dec. 29 for 2027 Midyear Meeting
The LSBA’s Midyear Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 27-29, 2027, at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. The deadline for submitting resolutions for the House of Delegates meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 29. (The House will meet on Jan. 29, 2027 at 9 a.m.) 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. 29. 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.

Children's Law Committee Releases New Trauma-Informed Practice Guide
The LSBA Children’s Law Committee has released a new resource guide, Trauma-Informed Approach: Best Practices for Children’s Attorneys. The guide provides Louisiana children’s attorneys, including those working in child welfare, delinquency and mental health, with information on best practices and resources for developing a trauma-informed approach and effectively serving their clients.

More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Rule XIX to Allow Pro Bono, Community Service in Certain Disciplinary Matters
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XIX, Section 10, to allow pro bono legal services or similar community service to be included as a condition in certain lawyer disciplinary matters.
More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Adds Rule Addressing Bail Revocation Procedures
The Louisiana Supreme Court has adopted a new section of Rule XXVII to clarify procedures for implementing Article 312.1 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, which addresses bail revocation following certain subsequent felony arrests.
More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Adds Commentary to Judicial Conduct Canon
The Louisiana Supreme Court has added commentary to Canon 3B(1) of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct, providing examples of administrative conduct that may constitute a violation of the canon.
More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Rule XXVII
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XXVII to establish procedures for matters in which both a district attorney and the Louisiana attorney general are recused.

More...

LBLS Accepting Applications for Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy Law Certification through Sept. 30
The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) is accepting applications for board certification in business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law through Sept. 30, 2026. 
More...


A Message on the LSBA-Endorsed Lawyers Professional Liability Program from the LSBA President
LSBA President Curtis R. Joseph, Jr. has shared a message regarding the LSBA-endorsed Lawyers Professional Liability Program and the ongoing transition to Old Republic Lawyers Specialty Insurance (ORLSI). This message outlines important information regarding the program transition and member benefits.
More...

LSBA Names Old Republic as New Endorsed Malpractice Insurance Provider
Enhanced coverage and new benefits available with 2026 policy renewals. 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.

More...

Louisiana Supreme Court Responds to Thomson Reuters C-Track Cyber Incident
The Louisiana Supreme Court is monitoring a cybersecurity incident involving Thomson Reuters’ C-Track court case management system and has notified appropriate law enforcement authorities, the court announced Sept. 2.
More...

In 2026, Board Certified Specialists and Applicants Who Are 65 or Over May Earn All of Their Required Approved Specialization CLE Either in Person or Through “Computer-Based CLE” Credits
The Louisiana Supreme Court amended Rule XXX of the Rules for Continuing Legal Education, modifying the long-standing age-based exemption for attorneys, by Order dated November 10, 2025. Under the revised Louisiana Supreme Court rule, attorneys who turn 65 on or after January 1, 2026, may earn all of their required CLE through computer-based programming. See the official notice here.

More...

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. 


More...

LBLS Will Start Accepting Applications for Board Certification on Nov. 1
The LBLS will be 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 Nov. 1, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027. The LBLS is presently accepting applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification from Jan. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2026.

More...

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.

View Full Article



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.

View Full Article



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



New Admittees Reception
The LSBA will host a New Admittees Reception on Oct. 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Louisiana Bar Center, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans. The reception will celebrate the newest members of the Bar as they join the Louisiana legal community. Click here to RSVP by Fri., Oct. 23, 2026.

NOTICE: Attorney Fee Review Board Sets Hourly Rates Through 2027
The Attorney Fee Review Board (AFRB) is charged with establishing hourly rates for legal fees for which the State may be liable pursuant to La. R.S. 13:5108.3. The AFRB met for its 2025 fall meeting on October 6, 2025.  Click here to read the AFRB Notice of rates.

Save the Date: 2027 LSBA Midyear Meeting
The Louisiana State Bar Association’s 2027 Midyear Meeting has been rescheduled and will be held Wednesday, Jan. 27, through Friday, Jan. 29, 2027. The House of Delegates meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, and is expected to conclude by approximately 10 a.m. Additional details about the 2027 Midyear Meeting will be announced as they become available.

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.

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