LSBA Offering Online CLE Bundles for the Summer The LSBA has two great online CLE bundles for the summer:
- Ethics & Technology, -or-
- Professionalism & Discovery.
While relaxing by the pool or backyard save some money and earn CLE credit. For more information, go to http://lsba.inreachce.com.
Deadline Aug. 4: Sponsors Sought for 2017 Law School Professionalism OrientationsSponsors are needed for three of the four law school professionalism orientations — Southern University Law Center (Aug. 10), Loyola University College of Law (Aug. 14) and Tulane Law School (Aug. 15). Contact LSBA Program Coordinator/Marketing and Sections Christine A. Richard by Aug. 4 at (504)619-0105, (800)421-5722, ext. 105, or email
crichard@lsba.org.
Louisiana Civil Justice Center Launches Second “Justice Tour,” Seeks Attorney InvolvementThe Louisiana Civil Justice Center (LCJC) began its second “Justice Tour” in March. The tour, which will continue through October, addresses the overwhelming legal needs in the poorest and most underserved rural parishes of Louisiana.
LCJC will host civil legal clinics at libraries in 16 parishes. The clinics, open to the public, allow residents to speak with attorneys about civil legal issues, including divorce and custody, consumer debt, housing and successions. Attorneys offer advice, legal documents and referrals free of charge. LCJC representatives also meet with businesses, community groups and legal services organizations to discuss the main legal challenges facing each parish and build awareness about the services that LCJC offers.
Attorney participation is encouraged to conduct civil legal clinics in parish libraries or to take on cases on a sliding scale or pro bono.
More clinics are scheduled through October. To sign up, email
coordinator@laciviljustice.org. To review the tour schedule, go to:
http://laciviljustice.org/.
The 2016 Justice Tour visited 15 parishes, providing more than 500 people with direct legal assistance and, through new partnerships with libraries and local organizations, sharing critical information about existing legal resources at the local and statewide levels with rural communities. In recognition of its success in raising awareness about barriers to justice in rural Louisiana, the tour was honored with the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 2016 Legal Services Innovation Award.
LBLS Sets Submission Date for Bankruptcy Law Certification ApplicationsThe Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (LBLS) is accepting applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification through Sept. 30, 2017.
In accordance with the Plan of Legal Specialization, a Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) member in good standing who has been engaged in the practice of law on a full-time basis for a minimum of five years may apply for certification. Further requirements are that each year a minimum percentage of the attorney’s practice must be devoted to the area of certification sought and a written examination must be passed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills and proficiency in the area for which certification is sought.
Applicants must meet a minimum CLE requirement for the year in which application is made and the examination is administered. CLE is regulated by the American Board of Certification, which is also the testing agency.
With regard to applications for business bankruptcy law and consumer bankruptcy law certification, although the written test(s) is administered by the American Board of Certification, attorneys should apply for approval of the LBLS certification simultaneously with the testing agency in order to avoid delay of board certification by the LBLS. Information concerning the American Board of Certification will be provided with the application form(s).
Anyone interested in applying for certification should contact LBLS Executive Director Mary Ann Wegmann, email
maryann.wegmann@lsba.org. For more information, go to the LBLS website:
https://www.lascmcle.org/specialization/.
Attorney Volunteers: Offer Your Time with LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org! The new website connects low-income individuals with much needed legal help. Through the website, attorney volunteers will be able to log in whenever and wherever they like to anonymously respond to legal questions submitted by individuals who could not otherwise afford to consult an attorney.
To volunteer or to learn more,
click here. Or contact Rachael Mills with the Access to Justice Department at (504)619-0104 or email
rachael.mills@lsba.org.