NOTICE: Attorney Fee Review Board Sets Hourly Rates Through 2027The 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.
Committee Preferences: Get Involved in Your Bar!Committee assignment requests are now being accepted for the 2026-27 Bar year. Response deadline is Friday, April 10.
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LBLS Extends Deadline for Board Certification Applications Until March 18, 2026The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) has extended the deadline to accept applications for certification in seven (7) specializations – appellate practice, employment law, estate planning and administration, family law, health law, labor law and tax law – to Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
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House of Delegates Jan. 24 Meeting RecapThe LSBA’s House of Delegates approved four resolutions and elected delegates to Committees at its Midyear Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.
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Louisiana Act 352 Overhauls Court Filings Starting Jan. 1, 2026Act 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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U.S. 5th Circuit Adopts Amendments and Local Rule ChangeThe 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. More...
A Message from the LSBA President on Recent Malpractice Insurance ChangesA Message from 2025-26 LSBA President Edward J. Walters, Jr.
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LSBA Names Old Republic as New Endorsed Malpractice Insurance ProviderEnhanced 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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LSBA 50-, 60-, 70-Year Members Recognized at Midyear MeetingLSBA members who have reached half a century and beyond in their professional careers were honored Jan. 23 during the Midyear Meeting. Review the list of honorees at:
http://www.lsba.org/midyearmeeting/Photos.aspx.
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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Early Bird Deadline Extended for Solo, Small Firm & Tech ConferenceThe early bird registration deadline for the LSBA’s 19th Solo, Small Firm & Tech Conference, scheduled for April 10, 2026, at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel in Kenner, has been extended to March 23, 2026. Attorneys can register at the discounted $175 early bird rate through the new deadline.
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Registration Open for EDLA Women's History Month CLEIn celebration of Women’s History Month, registration is now open for "'That All Men Are Created Equal' - But What About The Women? " a CLE program hosted by the USDC and EDLA. Exploring 250 years of American laws and how they affect the female half of 'We the People" this CLE event is co-sponsored by multiple legal organizations, the event features an all-star panel discussion and moderated group discussion followed by a light reception. Attendees can earn up to 2 hours of CLE credit,
click here for more information.
Attorney Volunteers Needed: State High School Mock Trial Competition Set for March 21 in ShreveportThe Louisiana State Bar Association’s (LSBA) Young Lawyers Division is seeking attorney volunteers to serve as scoring and presiding judges for the 2026 Richard N. Ware IV Memorial State High School Mock Trial Competition, set for Saturday, March 21, at the U.S. District Court for the Western District in Shreveport.
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Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Plan of Legal SpecializationThe 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, 2026The 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.
2026 LBLS Annual Dues Must Be Received No Later than March 10, 2026 to Avoid Penalties2026 Annual Dues Notices have been mailed to all qualified Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) specialists. The completed original dues notice together with proof of professional liability insurance and the appropriate fee should be mailed or delivered to the LBLS office located at 601 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130, no later than March 10, 2026 to avoid a penalty assessment.
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Free Trust Accounting & Billing Software by SmokeballThe Louisiana State Bar Association Partners with Smokeball to Grant All Members Free Access to Trust and Billing Software
Application Deadline May 29 for Leadership LSBA 2026–27 ClassLSBA President-Elect Curtis R. Joseph Jr. is currently seeking applications from young lawyers for the Leadership LSBA 2026–27 Class. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. To learn more about the program, go to:
www.lsba.org/goto/leadershiplsba