December 17, 2019

Professionalism in Trial Practice – Views from the Bench and Bar at 9:00 AM

Judge D. Nicole Sheppard Judge D. Nicole Sheppard is an alumnus of Southern University at and Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, . Nicole is a wife and mother, as well as a full- time Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge, local talk show host, and contributing local radio host. The Sheppard Williams Law Firm, which Nicole founded in 2005, was a general practice firm. Nicole offered plaintiff and defense representation to her former clients. Her practice included estate planning, real transactions, corporate, family and domestic matters, families in need of services cases, children in need of care, contract law, contractor fraud cases, personal injury, medical malpractice, criminal and traffic litigation. She was of counsel to two law firms and represented a large number of Louisiana major retailers in civil matters. Nicole was admitted to practice in all state, municipal and traffic courts in Louisiana and into the Courts for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Nicole had the rare opportunity of being admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court by Chief Justice Roberts. In addition to presiding over cases full time, Nicole has also dedicated herself to the advancement of public education and the improvement of the social justice system. Her nearly twenty-five year commitment to providing public education through television and radio programming evidence her unflinching pledge to the people of the Greater New Orleans area. She currently is an adjunct professor at . Further, Nicole serves as an Academic Committee Co-Chair and is the immediate past Board Vice-Chair for the Algiers Charter School Association and a former adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center, Southern University at New Orleans, Delgado Community College. Judge Sheppard is also a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Independent Women Organization and the A.P. Tureaud American Inn of Court. Judge Sheppard has dedicated most of her life to serving the public. Nicole engages our youth in various capacities. Over the last ten years, she has broadened the scope of her community service efforts by coordinating criminal justice symposiums at local universities and by organizing, sponsoring, and facilitating a free, open-access, domestic violence conference every year. She also developed the first Traffic Court Warrant Amnesty Day in New Orleans—which benefited more than 1100 local citizens and established the first HIV Clergy Testing Day. For more than twenty-four years, Nicole has been a local television talk show host. She began the show Real Life, where her goal has always been to promote the personal growth and well-being of her viewers. The program showcases local and national leaders, community activists, athletes, and both visiting and local celebrities. Traffic Time, her second show, was started to educate citizens about traffic laws and safety. Real Life: Law Edition, the third of the trio, was designed to give citizens a better understanding of our legal system. Through these three venues, Nicole extends a wealth of knowledge and service to her fellow citizens. Her resounding message to our community is that we must be efficient, effective, and aggressive to combat the plague of crime and abuse that riddles our neighborhoods. Her research in academia centers on the adverse impact caused by Strain Theory and disorganization in our communities. Nicole has been published as contributor or author of several books. She has been the recipient of awards and honors. Nicole has been a featured speaker at several conferences and events. Lastly, Nicole is most thankful for her relationship with GOD, her family—and her mother, the late Celesia Perry Ferrand.

Peter E. Sperling Peter E. Sperling is a founding member of Frilot L.L.C. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from Tulane Law School. His practice is concentrated primarily in the defense of professional liability claims, including physician and hospital malpractice. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Sperling has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Louisiana Super Lawyers. In 2007, 2013 and 2019 he received the Leadership in Law award which annually recognizes 50 New Orleans legal professionals based on their professional and community involvement and achievements. In 2016 he was selected as the recipient of the Arceneaux Professionalism Award by the New Orleans Bar Association. The award is given annually to the member of the Association who best exemplifies integrity, honesty and civility in the practice of law. Demonstrating his commitment to community service, Mr. Sperling has held leadership positions and serves on the Board of Directors of Isidore Newman School, the Jewish Community Center, the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Eyebank, Heart Gift and the New Orleans Bar Association. Peter and his wife Vicky are the parents of four children, Andrew (26), Elliot (22), Frances (20) and Olivia (17).

Irving J. Warshauer Irving J. Warshauer is a member of the New Orleans law firm of Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. He received his law degree from School of Law in 1976. Prior to joining his present firm in 1980, Irving was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana and a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, from whom he received a Special Commendation. His current practice is devoted primarily to plaintiffs’ personal injury and wrongful death litigation, with emphasis in maritime and product liability cases. In 2009, Irving was named “New Orleans Best Lawyers’ Personal Injury Litigator of the Year” and he was recognized by Best Lawyers in 2016 as “Lawyer of the Year in New Orleans in Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation.” Irving is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and he has been certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2016, he received the Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter’s Jack Martzell Professionalism Award. Irving has served in the Louisiana State Bar Association’s House of Delegates since 1997 and on its Ethics Advisory Service Committee for the past 12 years. Irving’s civic activities have included serving on the Board of Directors and as President of Louisiana Appleseed, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Louisiana, and the Audubon Area Zoning Association. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the South-Central Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), of which he is currently Vice-Chair. Irving has spoken at numerous continuing legal education programs on professionalism as well as on a variety of topics related to his litigation practice.