LSBA Names Old Republic as New Endorsed Malpractice Insurance Provider
Enhanced 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.
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.
Online Registration Open for 2026 Midyear Meeting in Baton Rouge
Online registration is open for the LSBA’s Midyear Meeting, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 22-24, 2026, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, 7000 Bluebonnet Blvd. Registration for the Midyear Meeting is free. Pre-registration is required for the free CLEs scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22. Click here to register online and to review meeting programming.
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.
Members Certified Elected for Leadership Positions
Several LSBA members have been certified elected for leadership positions on the Board of Governors, Nominating Committee and Young Lawyers Division Council, following the close of first-round voting on Nov. 17.
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
Louisiana Supreme Court Revises MCLE Age-Based Exemption Effective Jan. 1, 2026
The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XXX of the Rules for Continuing Legal Education, modifying the long-standing age-based exemption for attorneys. The change, effective January 1, 2026, reflects the reality that many attorneys are practicing well past traditional retirement age, while also acknowledging the corresponding unique challenges faced by those attorneys. 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.
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.
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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.
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New YLD Podcast Debuts
The LSBA Young Lawyers Division has introduced a new podcast featuring discussions with YLD leaders. Click here to find out more on the YLD page. Centola, LeBlanc, Guzman Certified Elected for LSBA, YLD Leadership Positions
Lawrence J. "Larry" Centola of New Orleans and Carrie LeBlanc Jones of Baton Rouge have been nominated for 2026-27 LSBA president-elect and 2026-28 LSBA treasurer, respectively. Centola is a Principal of Martell, Bickford & Centola in New Orleans. Jones is of counsel at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP of Baton Rouge. The president-elect will automatically assume the presidency in 2027-28. Christina “Cristy” Guzman was nominated for the position of LSBA’s Young Lawyer Division 2026-27 Secretary. Current Secretary Rachal Cox Cassagne of Gretna will automatically assume the post of 2025-26 YLD chair-elect. Cassagne is with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Gretna and Guzman is with Jeffrey Hufft Law Firm of Metairie.
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. The deadline for filing those credits or an exemption is Jan. 31, 2026. For the 2025 compliance period ending Dec. 31, 2025, the limitation for computer- based CLE credits is set at 4 hours annually (as defined in Rule 3(d) of LASC Rule XXX). This includes interactive live webcasts, webinars and on-demand recordings.
LBF Seeking Nominations for 2026 Boisfontaine Award
The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) is seeking nominations for the 2026 Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award. Nominations must be received in the LBF office by Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Nominations should include the nominee’s name, contact information, a brief written statement on the background of the nominee, and reasons why the nominee is proposed as the award recipient. Nominations should be forwarded to Jacie Lemon at the LBF, 601 Poydras St., Suite 1777, New Orleans, LA 70130, or emailed to jacie@raisingthebar.org by the deadline. Learn more online here.
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