lba promulgator february 2010

The Promulgator February 2010Volume 30 Issue 1

The Promulgator

LBA WELCOMES NEW FEDERAL

MAGISTRATE JUDGE PAT HANNA

February 2010 | Volume 30 | Issue 1

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION?THE LEGAL PROFESSION?

CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE BREAKFASTBREAKFAST

COURT OPENING & COURT OPENING & RED MASSRED MASS

UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS

The Promulgator February 2010 Volume 30 Issue 1


President’s Message

When I was a child, I thought the year 2000

would never come. It is now the year 2010, and another decade has come and gone. In December, we closed out our fi rst year in the new building. We have a healthy organization and a fi ne building. Through the help of Andre Doguet, our Treasurer for 2009, we balanced our budget for 2009. In December, the mediation center had its best revenue month for 2009, and with the completion of one calendar year, projections can be made for 2010 using a proven track record. You have a great Bar Association, people outside of Lafayette have noticed and are commenting on our success.

On a sad note, several attorneys passed away during the past year and were honored at the Red Mass and Court Opening on January 8, 2010; Melissa Doise, Richard C. “Dick” Meaux, Arthur “Scooter” Robinson, Honorable Judge Michael Sullivan, and Newman Trowbridge, Jr,. It is hard to imagine they are no longer with us.

Looking forward, Mardi Gras is here, and the building will be open on Mardi Gras day for members to come by and enjoy, get a beverage, use the facilities, and get a snack.

With each New Year, the Bar Association has several landmark

events in the fi rst quarter. In January we honored members who donated their time and talent to the Lafayette Volunteer Lawyer’s. We all get the e-mails, but these attorneys took the cases and were honored for their work. Without their help and hard work the program would not be a success.

Your Mediation Center appears to be gaining momentum. January of 2010 will be our biggest revenue month. Everyone who has used the facility has raved over the hospitality, the comfort the facilities off er, and the environment created by a neutral forum. Please, think about your building the next time you set a mediation or arbitration.

This spring your Board is meeting to set goals and objectives for the next 3-5 years. By taking a few minutes to give us your input through the survey that was distributed online, we will be able to use your feedback in the planning process. As an added incentive, each member who participates in the survey will be entered in a drawing for a $150 gift certifi cate to Ruth Chris.

With the New Year comes the dues letter. Obviously, this is the life blood of your organization. And I hope each of you will renew your membership in a timely manner. Excluding our association with the Lafayette Bar Foundation, the annual dues create the largest source of income for the Bar Association. Other important sources of income for the Association are, in declining order: CLE by the hour which is chaired by Blake David, the Bench-Bar Conference which is chaired by Boyd Anderson, and the Medication Center which is chaired by Joe Giglio, Jr. In closing: The Bar Association has many events set for the spring and I strongly recommend your attendance.

2009 -2010 LBA President

Charles Ziegler, Attorney at Law

Table of Contents

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Executive Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Court Opening & Red Mass . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Champions of Justice Breakfast . . . . . .8-9

Lafayette Young Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cover Article- Hon. Pat Hanna . . . . . . .11-12

Second Career Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15

Off the Beaten Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Grapevine & Classifi ed . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19


Executive Director’s Message

The Lafayette Bar Association is busy, busy, busy… the calendar is FULL!!!! We have so many exciting events coming up so please be sure to check our web-site and read those weekly e-mail blasts that we send to you. The staff and I look forward to seeing each of you at one of these events on the horizon.

I wanted to use my column in this issue to say a few THANK YOU’s to some special members who have gone above and beyond to make the staff happy and the organization a better place to work.

The fi rst THANK YOU goes to Laborde & Neuner. The fi rm recently donated a copy machine to our offi ce, fondly called the “Cadillac Copier”. Amazingly it scans, copies super fast and does just about everything except create the document for you. It has made such a tremendous diff erence in our productivity level at the offi ce.

MERCI to Durio, McGoffi n, Stagg & Ackermann. I called this fi rm back in December and asked if I could borrow the fi rm’s projector and screen for one day for the CLE by the HOUR. Well a day turned into a month; thankfully they did not charge me a rental fee.

GRAZIE to Blake Monrose who made my day by dressing up as Santa Clause for our annual Christmas Social. We planned the party at the last minute and the staff and I were stressed and the appearance of Santa at the event was PERFECT!

GRACIAS to Greg Laborde who hung out with the staff one day in our kitchen while he was participating in mediation. We talked about how much we love spicy food and low and behold a few days later we got a special pepper grinder that we use each and every day.

A special THANKS to Gil Dozier and members of his fi rm Mike Ardoin, Keith Saltzman, and Nick Blanda for taking the staff to a Friday lunch at Lafonda’s during the summer. Gil called me and said he wanted to take the staff to lunch to get to know us better! Always a fi rst time for everything and we had a awesome time and truly appreciated the kind gesture.

And of course this New Orleans transplant would be remiss if I did not say Thank You to the Saints for an exciting football season and an inspiring Super Bowl Victory.

The PromulgatorThe Promulgator is published six times a year by the Lafayette Bar Association. The Editorial Committee welcomes news contributions, substantive articles and/or comments for this publication.

Published by: Lafayette Bar Association2607 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503

P.O. Box 2194, Lafayette, LA 70502-2194tel: (337) 237-4700 fax: (337) 237-0970

www.lafayettebar.org

The mission of the Lafayette Bar Association is to serve the profession, its members and the community by promoting justice, professional excellence, respect for the rule of law and fellowship among attorneys and the Court.

Officers

Board of Directors

Committee & Section Chairs

Editorial Committee

LBA Staff

Aaron AllenTiff any Babineaux

Nicole BreauxMarianna Broussard

Ariel CamposShannon Dartez

Blake DavidCade Evans

Joe Giglio, Jr.Tony MorrowTricia Pierre

Dona RenegarJeff Riggs

Maggie SimarCynthia Simon

Bench Bar, Boyd AndersonCLE By the Hour, Blake DavidPromulgator, Elena PecoraroBeyond the Bench, Maggie SimarMaritime CLE, Chuck Mouton & Doug TruxilloWoman’s Issues, Dona Renegar

Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers, Marianna BroussardFamily Law Section, Nicole BreauxLafayette Young Lawyers, Cynthia Simon

Charles ZieglerPresident

Andre DoguetPresident-Elect

Larry CurtisSecretary/Treasurer

Rebekah HugginsImmediate Past President

Elena Pecoraro, EditorAdam AbdallaNicole BreauxShawn CarterCade Evans

Burton GuidryRebekah Huggins

Barbara OlindeLaura PutnamCynthia Simon

Susan HollidayExecutive Director

Ruthie ToceMarketing Director

Tammy DerouenLVL Program Director

Penny RogersExecutive Assistant

The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Editorial Committee of the Lafayette Bar Association.

LBA Executive Director

Susan Holliday


Court Opening & Red Mass 2010

Lafayette’s legal community recently celebrated the annual Red Mass and Court Opening ceremonies on January 8, 2010. The Red Mass was held at St. John’s Cathedral where Bishop Michael Jarrell and Arch Bishop Joseph Kurtz welcomed the new members of the bar and also gave thanks and prayers for the lives of those in the legal community who had passed away in 2009. The homolist, Father Kurtz, talked about the many ways in which members of our legal community shape our society with their work and dedication to the law. Following the Red Mass, a reception hosted by the Lafayette Bar Association Auxiliary was held at the Cathedral Center.

Later on in the afternoon of that icy January day, members of the legal community again gathered to celebrate the age old tradition of opening the court and welcoming new attorneys and judges at the 15th JDC Courthouse. Chief Judge Blanchet presided over the ceremony and LBA President Charles Ziegler acted as the master of ceremonies.

Judge Blanchet read aloud a speech written by Abraham Lincoln extolling the nobility of the legal profession and the obligations to be a responsible and fair administrator of the law. In regard to honesty, Judge Blanchet quoted Lincoln, “Let no young man choosing the law for a calling for a moment yield to the popular belief -- resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.”

To wrap up the day of ceremony and professional camaraderie, a reception was held at the Jones Walker Law Firm and co-hosted by the Louisiana State Bar Association.

2010 New Attorneys

Bradley J. Aldrich, Johnson Gray McNamara; Rebecca K. Bayless, Law Clerk to the Hon. Phyllis M. Keaty; Jeff rey K. Coreil, Laborde & Neuner; Laura Davenport, Attorney at Law; Natalie DeJean, Law Clerk to the Hon. Richard T. Haik; Megan Donohue, Jones Walker; Sara Taylor Donohue, Ottinger Hebert; Mark A. Dore’, Attorney at Law; Robert D. Felder, Gachassin Law Firm; Nathan G. Frazier, Attorney at Law; Wesley Galjour, Law Clerk to the Hon. Edward Broussard; Matthew S. Green, Preis & Roy; Jacob H. Hargett, Davidson Meaux Sonnier & McElligott; Kristen Hernandez, Attorney at Law; Jaime F. Landry, Preis & Roy; Anthony J. Lascaro, Preis & Roy; Beau Leblanc, Voorhies & Labbe; Jerome Moroux, Broussard & David; Alana E. Odom, Durio, McGoffi n, Stagg & Ackermann; Michael A. Rainey, Attorney at Law; Chaz Roberts, Laborde & Neuner; Dwazendra J. Smith, Davidson Meaux Sonnier & McElligott; Jennifer Sebille, Cornay-Lowry Land & Abstract; Blair Suire, Jones Walker; Talbot Theunissen, Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan; Celeste White, LeBas Law Offi ces

Doug Ashy, Sr., Richard Broussard, Arch Bishop Joseph Kurtz, and many others gathered to celebrate after the Red Mass.

Members of the LBA Auxiliary Brigid Guillory, JoLynn Cole, and Kathy Broussard with Judge Durwood Conque

Thank you to Event Sponsors:

the Jones Walker Law Firm

and

the Louisiana State Bar Association


Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers hosted their annual celebration to honor lawyers who have dedicated time and energy in order to provide pro bono legal services to members of our community who would otherwise be unable to aff ord such services. Held at the Petroleum Club, the Champions of Justice Breakfast paid tribute to over 77 Lafayette attorneys who through their generosity assisted 600 clients last year.

The Champions of Justice Breakfast guest speaker, the Honorable Marc T. Amy said in his speech about the importance of pro bono, “This is perhaps the only way for these people to resolve some life issues, which would maybe worsen if not addressed.” Each year these attorneys generously give back to the community to help shape a better future for the people in Acadiana.

The Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation off ers legal representation and advice to those who cannot aff ord it through programs like the Homeless Experience Legal Protection (H.E.L.P.) program which off ers legal services to homeless individuals who have lost all legal paperwork or identifi cation and are currently looking for work. Another program, The Protective Order Panel; off ers services to help victims of domestic violence obtain Title 46 Protective orders against their abusers. The volunteer lawyer program also takes referrals from the Acadiana Legal Services Corporation on cases such as divorce, custody, child support, bankruptcy and SSI.

Written by: Kelley LeBlanc, [email protected]

Champions of Justice Breakfast

Small Firm Award

Large Firm Award

Outstanding Attorney Awards

Hon. Marc T. Amy swears in members of the 2010 Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation Board of Directors.


Small Firm Award

Huval, Veazey, Felder, Aertker & Renegar

Large Firm Award

Laborde & Neuner

Outstanding Attorney Awards

Bradley BlackCandace BreauxBridget BroussardMarianna BroussardBianca ChretienLindsay DeBloisLaura DavenportOlita Magee DomingueElizabeth DugalBrad FelderFranchesca Hamilton-AckerGreg KouryDouglas TruxilloCassie Willis

Help Award

Bridget Broussard

2010 Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation

Board of Directors

Miles Matt, ChairRichard BeckerMarianna BroussardLarry CurtisAndre’ Doguet

Protective Order Panel Award

Presented by: Billi Lacombe, Executive Director, Faith HouseLindsay DeBlois

Top LVL Attorney Award

Presented by: Tammy Derouen, LVL DirectorCassie Willis

Champions of Justice Breakfast

Dave ErnestJack McElligottThomas R. Hightower, Jr.John SwiftCharles Ziegler


LYLA President’s Message

Lafayette Young Lawyers President

Cynthia K. Simon, 15th JDC Asst. D.A.

I just can’t help but start this month’s message with GEAUX SAINTS! By the time this is published, we will have already played in the Superbowl, but how exciting for our state to fi nally make it there!

Now onto LYLA related information: It’s that time of year again, Mock Trial is scheduled for March 6, 2010, and we at LYLA are calling for volunteers. We currently have at least 13 teams registered, which is awesome for the students participating and for our profession. However, this also means many volunteers are needed to score the mock trials, give critique to the teams, and keep time for each trial. In addition, we ask our local judges to serve as judges for these trials. Each trial lasts approximately two hours. I know your time is valuable, but this volunteer experience is well worth it. Not only do we appreciate your participation in this competition, but so do the students! Witnessing the determination and courage of the participants is a reminder of why we decided to become attorneys and the importance of participating in the education of our local high school students. If you are able to serve as a volunteer, please contact Ruthie.

We are also partnering with the state young lawyers in a project entitled, “YLS Closet Event”, which provides high school females, who otherwise may not be able to aff ord a dress, with one for prom. Dresses that are appropriate for evening, after 5, cocktail, or full length formal gowns are all being collected. We are also collecting shoes and accessories. If any of you ladies out there have one or more of these dresses and you are willing to donate them, please do so. Also, please pass this information on to your friends. We only ask that you have the dress dry-cleaned prior to donation. You can bring them to the Bar Association building by February 24, 2010.

Thank you all for your continued support of LYLA’s projects!


Cover Article:

LBA Welcomes

New Federal

Magistrate

Judge Pat Hanna

The Honorable Patrick Hanna was appointed to serve as a Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. He was sworn in on December 1, 2009, taking the seat previously held by Judge Mildred Methvin, who retired last year. Judge Hanna looks forward to working with members of the Lafayette Bar Association and continuing to build a strong and positive relationship between our members and the Lafayette-Opelousas Division of the Western District Court.

Prior to his appointment, Judge Hanna practiced law in Louisiana for over 20 years. Although he was born in Texas, he has spent most of his life in Louisiana. After his discharge from the Coast Guard, he attended USL where he graduated in 1984 with an undergraduate degree in political science. He received his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1987. Upon graduation, he began practicing law with the Onebane Law Firm in Lafayette. In 1994, he and his partners formed the law fi rm of Rabalais, Hanna & Hays

where he focused his practice in maritime, construction, and environmental law. He gained extensive experience in complex environmental, construction, maritime, insurance, and toxic tort litigation.

Judge Hanna has traded in his former clients for what he considers three new ones – the public, the Bar, and the Court. His duty to all three “clients” is to help move cases through the court system as effi ciently and economically as possible while making certain that all parties receive equal treatment under the law. He would like to change any negative perception there is to practicing in federal court and stresses that litigants need not be nervous or intimidated.

Continued on Page 12


He knows that litigants will be prepared and for his part, he too promises to be prepared. Unless there are specifi c issues that need further research he expects to give results as early as he can.

While moving cases through the system expeditiously is a goal, foremost, Judge Hanna knows and understands how important our work is and the sense of fairness that is required to reach a just result. When asked about any surprises he’s experienced in his fi rst few months, he said there have been a few. “A pleasant surprise is having the ability and the time – to take whatever time it takes to get it right. This is extremely important to the parties.” He’s also enjoying learning new areas of law.

Through his law practice, Judge Hanna learned the value of mediation and is a big proponent of pre-trial confl ict resolution. He has carried over this element into his new job and enjoys the process of guiding attorneys toward resolutions of their clients’ interests. Private mediation can be costly. He encourages the bar to consider alternative dispute resolution through the court, whether in simple two- party cases or in more complex multi-party cases.

In addition to alternative dispute resolution, another way to help expedite the disposition of the civil cases is by having the parties consent to trial before a Magistrate Judge. Both of the Magistrate Judges in the Lafayette-Opelousas division have extensive trial experience. He encourages the Lafayette Bar members to consider the option of allowing their cases to be

heard before him and fellow Magistrate Judge Michael Hill.

Judge Hanna is married to local attorney Frances Hays, who also works for the Western District Court. One of the perks of his job, he adds, is that the appointment allows him to spend more time with her. Hanna notes that she is a constant source of inspiration to him in his work and in his life. She is simply the most courageous person that he has ever known. Together, they enjoy traveling to their home away from home in South Carolina and share a love of renovating old houses.

Anyone who needs to reach Judge Hanna can do so by contacting him at the Federal Courthouse, 800 Lafayette Street. The Lafayette-Opelousas division of the Western District Court serves St. Martin, Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Mary, St. Landry and Vermilion Parishes. Judge Hanna’s law clerks are Lynn Arceneaux and L’Reece David.

Written by: Laura Putnam, Offi ce of the Attorney General

Lowry’s

Ad


The Promulgator Editorial

Committee recently discovered that members of Lafayette’s legal community have an array of talents and backgrounds. Several of our members started out in other careers; including a few of our LBA offi cers: Chuck Ziegler, worked as a real estate developer for many years before he decided to go to law school, and one of our past presidents, Miles Matt worked as an engineer before pursuing a career as a lawyer. For a variety of reasons, these “mid-career movers” have found that the legal career can be more rewarding than most. Despite the volatility caused by the economy in other industries, the legal profession remains one of dignity and prosperity for those who dedicate themselves to their work . The following profi les are a testament to the hard working members of our group who have found success in the noble work of the legal profession.

William W. Stagg

– Bill, a named partner of, Durio, McGoffi n, Stagg & Ackermann, practiced as a registered professional

engineer before he decided to become a lawyer. With a masters in civil engineering, Bill practiced at a large engineering fi rm in Texas for a short while before moving to Lafayette to work with his father-in-law’s fi rm. While Bill no longer maintains his engineering license, his training and education have formed the foundation for an active practice in Intellectual Property Law. He is licensed

to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offi ce. “Bill would tell you that his lawyer skills are better than his engineering skills,” says associate Shawn Carter, “but I think the combination of the two is the secret to his success.”

Continued on Page 14

e l e t k l g n

“Bill would tell you that his lawyer skills are better than his engineering skills”

What Brought You to the Legal

Profession?


Tamara Persaud

- Tamara is a new member of the LBA is one of our group who comes from an interesting alternate career. She graduated from college in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social

Work and began her professional career working as a juvenile probation offi cer in Ramsey County, Minnesota through

a non-profi t organization 180 Degrees, Inc. She

e n j o y e d the work and collaborated with the agency to create gender

specifi c programming for juvenile female off enders. The program, Girls R e s i l i e n c y M e n t o r i n g Program, is still in

existence and doing a lot of great work with at-risk young ladies. She

was later promoted to Director of Juvenile Services at 180 Degrees, Inc.

and did a lot of grant writing for juvenile p r o g r a m m i n g ,

and advocating for services for youth, especially in the Juvenile D e t e n t i o n Initiative (JDAI) area, initiative created by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She moved to Louisiana in 2007 and worked as a child protection worker with Offi ce of Community Services for 1.5 years.

She started law school in 2002 while she was

wo rk i n g full-time

in Minnesota. She is very passionate about ensuring children’s rights are protected and that their voices are heard especially when involved in State systems. She chose the legal profession because she thought it is the best avenue to continue doing this work. She is currently a staff Attorney at Acadiana Legal Service in the Children in Need of Care (CINC) Unit.

Marianna Broussard

- For Marianna, law came after a series

of jobs – First, she was a high school English teacher for about three years. Second, while

t e a c h i n g she purchased new houses under construction and remodeled older homes for resale. Third, she was the owner of some jean shops and boutiques in the late ‘60’s and early 70’s: “The Body Shop” on the UL campus, “The Emporium” in the Oil Center, “You Babes” on Johnston Street and in

Baton Rouge . Later, she was the Assistant Dean of Women at UL (USL at the time) for four years.

She even taught aerobics and dance at Cornay Dance School for thirteen years. Finally, she came around to the legal profession and attended law school from 1992-1995, bought her law offi ce in 1995 which she spent several months remodeling but never opened practice. Instead, she went to work for John Hill at Hill and Beyer, APLC in 1996 where she has worked for thirteen years.

Robbie Voitier

- Robbie was another attorney who made the move late in life. He is currently practicing at Juneau & David. His family owns a beer distributorship company and he was on the fast track to a lucrative career in the family business. However, he had other aspirations and decided to go to law school instead of following in his father’s footsteps. Robbie is a fun guy to talk to and has a joke for every occasion. A friend of Robbie said, “I could tell just from talking to him that he loves what he does and does not regret making the career move.”

Tamara Persaud

- Tamara is a new member of the LBA is oneof our group who comes from an interestingalternate career. She graduated from college in1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social

Work and began her professional careerworking as a juvenile probation officer in Ramsey County, Minnesota through

a non-profi t organization 180Degrees, Inc. She

e n j o y e dthe work andcollaborated with theagency to create gender

specifi c programmingfor juvenile femaleoff enders. Theprogram, GirlsR e s i l i e n c yM e n t o r i n gProgram, is still in

existence and doing a lot of greatwork with at-risk young ladies. She

was later promoted to Director of Juvenile Services at 180 Degrees, Inc.

and did a lot of grantwriting for juvenilep r o g r a m m i n g ,

and advocatingfor services foryouth, especiallyin the JuvenileD e t e n t i o nInitiative (JDAI) area, initiativecreated by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She moved to Louisiana in 2007 and worked as a childprotection worker with Offi ce ofCommunity Services for 1.5 years.

She started law schoolin 2002 while she was

wo rk i n gfull-time

in Minnesota. She is very prights are protected and thwhen involved in State systbecause she thought it is thwork. She is currently a staffin the Children in Need of

Marianna Bro

- For Marianncame after a

of jobs – First, shehigh school English teacabout three years. Second

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She even taught aSchool for thirteen years. Fprofession and attended lawlaw offi ce in 1995 which shbut never opened practice.Hill at Hill and Beyer, APLthirteen years.

Robbie Voitie

- Robbie was another amade the move late in life. Hpracticing at Juneau & Daviowns a beer distributorsand he was on the fast trackcareer in the family businehe had other aspirations anof following in his father’s fto and has a joke for every ocould tell just from talkingand does not regret making

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Mary McCrory Hamilton

– Now a shareholder at Voorhies and Labbe, Mary joined the fi rm as an associate in 1992 after a year’s clerkship with the Honorable Judge James Trimble. She entered LSU Law School at the ripe old age of 41 which to her seemed very old at the time. Prior to her legal profession, she was in education from the time she graduated from college. She taught high school for several years but for most of the 20 years before she went to law school, she was the head of St. James Episcopal Day School in Alexandria. She went to law school because of the fi nancial shortcomings of the teaching profession, and because she loves to write and argue.

Maria Pitre

– Maria was an accounting manager for years. When she started to get stir crazy staying at home with her children after a premature “retirement,” she decided to fi nish the degree she had started as a teenager, now as an “old lady” at ULL. Because her undergrad degree went so well, she decided to apply for law school, a life-long dream of hers. Although she was well into her thirties, she fi gured, “Oh well, if I get to practice for at least a few years of my life, I’ll have lived out my dream.” She was accepted to law school, and embraced the challenge. During that time, she commuted from Lafayette to Baton Rouge for three years, while simultaneously giving it her best shot to wear the hats of both student and mother. She suff ered two bouts of illness during her matriculation, so serious that she thought she would have to drop out of law school. With the love and encouragement of her family and by the grace of God, she graduated law school. Within two weeks of the exam, she fi nally felt well enough to continue her study preparations for the bar exam, and she passed the bar exam, fi rst time around. Within weeks, she was blessed with a full time job at the real estate law fi rm of Bradley & Mo re a u / Re a l Title, and she c o n t i n u e s to count her

blessings today. She thoroughly enjoys practicing law, and is happy that she embraced the challenge.

Mary Jones

– With an undergraduate degree in English, Mary started out in communications – fi rst as a newspaper reporter, then as a public relations offi cer for LSU. Just prior to starting

law school, she worked as a corporate communications writer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana – a position she held for seven and a half years. She loved her job of writing speeches, sales brochures, newsletters, heading up public relations campaigns, producing corporate video, among a whole host of other things. But at the end of the day, she still wanted something more, something bigger. After being accepted into the part-time evening

program at Southern University Law Center, she moved to the company’s marketing department as a health insurance sales representative. Because it had always been a dream of hers to become an attorney, Mary used the fl exibility of her new job to pursue her dream. Fortunately, when Southern introduced its part-time evening program, she fi nally had a break and was able to complete her degree. She now clerks for a judge in the 16th

Judicial District, and loves every minute of it.

, t cged ed

dnp. ed,e

“She entered LSU Law School at the ripe old age of 41 which to her

seemed very old at the time.”

“Maria was an accounting

manager for years.”


Not too long ago, LBA President, Chuck Ziegler, some of his buddies, and their sons undertook a hog hunting expedition. With several bull dogs, plenty of man power and gun power, this expedition was a success. The guys brought home a 400 pound wild beast!

Off the Beaten PathOff the Beaten PathBecause there’s more to life than the practiceBecause there’s more to life than the practice


Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Sara E. Mouledoux has become a partner of the fi rm. She practices in the oil and gas section of the fi rm’s New Orleans offi ce.

The law fi rm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P. announced today that former United States Attorney Donald W. Washington has joined the fi rm and will practice from the Lafayette offi ce.

RABALAIS, HANNA & HEBERT, LLC is pleased to announce that PATRICK J. HANNA has been appointed Magistrate Judge U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana. The name of the fi rm has been changed to RABALAIS & HEBERT 701 Robley Drive, Suite 210; Lafayette, LA 70503

Maggie Simar will be re installed as District 3 Representative (Lafayette and surrounding parishes) to the LSBA Young Lawyers Council at their annual meeting. This will be her second two year term.

Jones Walker is pleased to announce that 37 attorneys have been named to the 2010 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers. Among the Jones Walker attorneys who were named to Louisiana Super Lawyers 2010.

William H. “Bill” Goforth, has again been included in the Louisiana Super Lawyers 2010 magazine by Law and Politics as being one of the TOP LAWYERS in the State of Louisiana. The Super Lawyers Magazine rankings are based on peer surveying of more than 16,000 lawyers across the state. Bill has also been selected by The American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Louisiana for 2010.

Congratulations to Nicole B. Breaux who opened her own practice this year. The Law Offi ce of Nicole B. Breaux is located at 415 N. Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 337-783-0888.

Our condolences to Janice Beyt on the loss of her father, John Daigre passed away.

Rabalais Williams, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Chad P. Pitre is Of Counsel with the Firm.

Elena Arcos Pecoraro of Pecoraro Law and Mike Maraist of Maraist Law Firm are now Of Counsel with each other’s fi rms.

Our condolences to the family of Judge Michael Sullivan,

a beloved judge and outstanding individual who passed away recently.

We want to wish Chief Justice Catherine D. “Kitty” Kimball a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

S omething to new to look at. . . “I hope you all enjoy the new look

and feel of your local bar association’s newsletter. With the help of the Promulgator Editorial Board, we came together to come up with a new design for

the 2010 version of the LBA newsletter. I hope this new version of the LBA Promulgator will be something that members of our association keep out on their coff ee tables and

desks in their offi ces so that anyone who walks in can tak a glance and see some of the great things going on here at the Lafayette Bar Association. We’d love to hear your feedback and see what you think of the

new design. Please feel free to email or call me.”

~R uthie Toce LBA Marketing Director, [email protected]

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the full color online version of the newsletter at www.lafayettebar.org

ack and see what you thinknknknknknkkkknkknknknkkkkknkknk o ooo oooo ooooo o o oo oofff f f fffffffffff thefeel free to email or call me.”

~R uthie Toceketing Director, [email protected]

ck out the full color online version of thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhenewsletter at www.lafayettebar.orooooooooooooo ggggggggggggggggggg

March Events

April Events

6. High School Mock Trial 8am - 3pm 15th JDC

12. Clay Shoot at GOL Shooting Range 11am-5pm17. Shamrocks for Sully - at

LBA from 6pm -8pm

25. Beyond the Bench with Hon. Paul deMahy at LBA

11:30 am - 1 pm, 1 credit Lunch and CLE

25 & 26. LBA Board of Directors Retreat

9. LYLA Birdie with the Bar Golf Tournament 1pm Shotgun Start,Wetlands

25. Beyond the Bench with Hon. Thomas Duplantier at

LBA 11:30 am - 1 pm, 1 credit Lunch and CLE

29. Lori Heaphy Last Appointment at Pamplona

Tapas Bar 5pm -7pm

plantis & nce thatpartner and gas

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LBA Mark

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February Events14. Valentines Day

15 & 16. Mardi Gras (Bar Association Offi ces Open for

Members)

25. Beyond the Bench with Hon. Pat Hanna at LBA 11:30 am - 1 pm, 1 credit Lunch and

CLE

been nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnamaamaamaaamamamamamamaaaamaamamed to the 2010 editioLaaaaaaawywywywywwwywywwwwwwwwwww ers. Among the Jones Walkewewewewwwwwewwwwwwwwwwww rererererereeereerererrereerrr named to Louisiana Super Law

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on of Louisiana Supfer attorneys who wyers 2010.

The Grapevine


Classified


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lba promulgator february 2010

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