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Elections: Self-Qualifying Period Ended Oct. 13, Ballots Available Nov. 3
Several leadership positions are open in the 2025 LSBA 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. First election ballots will be available to members on Nov. 3. Deadline for electronically casting votes is Nov. 17. Ballots and candidates’ biographies will be available online by Nov. 3. For more information about available leadership positions, go to: http://www.lsba.org. For more information on the election procedures and the schedule, go to: http://www.lsba.org/goto/elections.


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



LBLS Recertification Applications Due on Nov. 4
The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization has mailed recertification applications to specialists whose certification is due to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. The completed application, together with a check payable to the “Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization” for $100, should be mailed or delivered to the LBLS office, c/o Mary Ann Wegmann, Specialization Director, 601 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130, no later than Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, to avoid penalties. For more information, contact Mary Ann Wegmann at (504)619-0128 or email maryann.wegmann@lsba.org.


LSBA Young Lawyers Division Awards: Nomination Deadline is Nov. 14
Nominations are open for several LSBA Young Lawyers Division awards. The response deadline is Nov. 14. Click here to review information about the awards and submission procedures.


LSBA Launches Rural Justice Legal Incubator Project to Support New Attorneys and Expand Access to Justice
The LSBA Access to Justice Program has partnered with Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) to launch the Rural Justice Legal Incubator Project. This 12-month initiative is designed to help new attorneys (0–7 years of experience) establish successful solo or small law practices in underserved rural parishes across Louisiana. Participants receive mentorship, free legal tools, CLE training, and compensation for handling pro bono cases that address critical legal needs like expungements, family law, housing, and more.  Interested attorneys are encouraged to attend an upcoming Info Session worth one hour of professionalism CLE. Learn more here.



LA Board of Legal Specialization Will Accept Applications for Board Certification Beginning 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 November 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. The LBLS will be accepting applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification from January 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026. For more information, contact Mary Ann Wegmann at (504)619-0128 or email maryann.wegmann@lsba.org.


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.


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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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.


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