LSBA Installs 2025-26 Officers and Board of Governors The Louisiana State Bar Association’s (LSBA) 2025-26 officers and members of the Board of Governors were installed June 5 at a ceremony at the LSBA’s Annual Meeting in Destin, Fla. Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer and Hon. Darrel J. Papillion of the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana administered the oaths of office. Edward J. Walters, Jr., a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm Walters, Thomas, Cullens, LLC, was installed as the 85th LSBA president (2025-26 term). The oath of office was administered by Hon. Darrel J. Papillion of the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana. Curtis R. Joseph, Jr., a partner in the Shreveport law firm Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, APLC, was installed as the 2025-26 president-elect. He will assume the presidency in 2026-27. Bradley J. Tate, an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, in New Orleans, is beginning his two-year term as secretary. He also serves as editor of the Louisiana Bar Journal, the LSBA’s magazine published six times a year. C.A. (Hap) Martin III, a member in the Monroe law firm Shotwell, Brown & Sperry, APLC, is beginning his second year of a two-year term as treasurer. Patrick A. Talley, Jr., a partner in the New Orleans office of the law firm Phelps, will continue his service to the LSBA as the 2025-26 immediate past president. Collin R. Melancon, a partner/owner of Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers in New Orleans, was installed as 2025-26 chair of the LSBA Young Lawyers Division. Members of the 2025-26 Board of Governors were installed by Chief Justice Weimer. First District Graham H. Ryan, a partner in the New Orleans office of the law firm Jones Walker, LLP. Lindsey A. Cheek, the founding attorney of The Cheek Law Firm LLC in New Orleans. Second District Jeffrey G. Lagarde, an attorney in the Metairie office of the law firm Staines, Eppling & Kenney, LLC. Third District Melanie W. Chatagnier, the sole attorney and owner of Chatagnier Law Office in Thibodaux. Fourth District Todd S. Clemons, the founder of Todd Clemons & Associates in Lake Charles. Fifth District Kelly M. Rabalais, vice president of communications and strategy for St. Tammany Health System in Covington. Christopher K. Jones, a partner in the Baton Rouge firm of Keogh Cox. Sixth District Barry M. Barnett, a partner in the law firm LaCroix, Levy & Barnett, LLC, in Alexandria. Seventh District Amy J. Miller, owner/attorney in Amy Miller Attorney at Law in Ruston. Eighth District Senàe D. Hall, an assistant district attorney in the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office in Shreveport. At-Large Members L. Bradley Hancock, the executive partner in the Houston, TX, office of the law firm Holland & Knight, LLP. Tina L. Suggs, managing attorney at State Farm Insurance Company’s Claims Litigation Counsel Office in Metairie. Daniel A. Cavell, a partner in the Thibodaux law firm Morvant & Cavell, LLC. LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center/Faculty Representative Prof. John M. Church, a Professor of Law at Louisiana State University (LSU) Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge. Tulane University Law School/Faculty Representative Prof. Ronald J. Scalise, Jr., the John Minor Wisdom Professor of Civil Law at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. Louisiana State Law Institute Representative G. Trippe Hawthorne, an attorney at Kean Miller in Baton Rouge. House of Delegates Liaison Committee Chair Shannon Seiler Dartez, an attorney with the Glenn Armentor Law Corporation in Lafayette. Member Aaron R. Wilson, an attorney in Wilson & Wilson, APLC, in Bossier City. Member Larry E. Pichon, a solo practitioner in Lake Charles. Full profiles of the officers and members of the Board of Governors are available online by clicking here.