PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Dona Kay Renegar United We Stand hen I originally drafted mation and knowledge we accumulated goto/TexasCourtOrder, permits out-of- my message for our and organized during and after Katrina, state lawyers to practice law tem- members in August, I the members of the Louisiana federal and porarily. Interested volunteers must fill reflected on the goals, is- state judiciary reached out to their Texas out the Disaster Relief Volunteer Form, Wsues, and values that unite us as a man- counterparts to offer support and -guid www.lsba.org/goto/TexasVolunteerForm, datory Bar Association. I chose the title, ance on how to handle inaccessibility to in order to be matched with current legal “United We Stand.” Little did I know that courts, pending litigation, and deadlines needs. just two weeks later that may run before the courts are up and You can make a donation to the would change the substance of the article running again. Gov. John Bel Edwards Louisiana Hurricane Harvey Disaster but neither the message nor the title. and his staff, while keeping an eye on Fund, www.lsba.org/DR/donations.aspx, United we stand — as members of potential damage to our own state, sup- administered by the Louisiana Bar our Bar Association and alongside our ported the efforts of the Cajun Navy to Foundation, the proceeds of which will brethren in the great state of Texas. As we begin rescue operations in Texas, opened go to civil legal aid services for indi- watched Hurricane Harvey bear down on shelters to support those displaced by gent Louisiana citizens who are victims Texas and Louisiana, we could not help Hurricane Harvey, and shared lessons of Hurricane Harvey. These services in- but harken back to August 2005 when learned by our state in dealing with the clude housing claims, evictions, domes- Louisiana experienced the devastation of 2016 flooding and the devastation of tic/family issues, and others that always and August 2016 when Hurricane Katrina. arise after a natural disaster. You may Louisiana suffered flooding of historic also make a donation to the Hurricane proportions, often referred to as the 100- Disaster Response Harvey Legal Aid Fund, www.lsba.org/ year flood. Those of you from the areas DR/donations.aspx, administered by the worst hit by the 2016 flood — Acadiana, The Louisiana State Bar Association Texas Access to Justice Foundation. Baton Rouge, and the parishes — (LSBA) has mobilized as well. We have The LSBA Disaster Response reached out to me expressing your inabil- activated our Disaster Response website, Message Board, www.lsba.org/DR/ ity to watch the coverage of Hurricane www.lsba.org/DR/, dedicated to provid- drmessageboard.aspx, was created to Harvey as it brought back painful memo- ing valuable information on displace- help facilitate the giving and receiving ries of the damage and loss we suffered ment resources, court closures, emergen- of non-monetary donations like housing last year. Despite this fact, our citizens, cy declarations, and assistance for flood help, office equipment, commuting- as attorneys, and judges rallied to the aid of victims. Help is still needed. If you want sistance, and employment opportunities. our neighbors to the west as Hurricane to volunteer, consider registering with Visit the message board if you are will- Harvey took aim at and battered the LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org, an online pro ing to donate or are in need of donations. city of and the Gulf Coast east- bono program that connects low-income SOLACE is also accepting assistance ward through Beaumont, Orange, and clients with volunteer attorneys. The requests for non-monetary needs from southwest Louisiana. The Cajun Navy State Bar of Texas is currently recruiting those affected by the severe weather. If marshaled its forces and struck out for volunteers to help with anticipated legal you or someone you know needs assis- to help rescue citizens needs. A recently amended order of the tance, forward your request to SOLACE trapped by the flooding. Using the infor- Supreme Court of Texas, www.lsba.org/ at [email protected]. Include an

160 October / November 2017 email address that protects the sender’s its leadership, and service to our mem- identity. Disaster Resources bers — recently began its year-long com- The Louisiana Civil Justice Center mitment. The application process begins (LCJC) has activated its disaster legal ► ABA Hurricane Harvey Relief in July each year, so let us know about www.lsba.org/goto/ABAHurricaneRelief hotline at 1-800-310-7029. The hotline young lawyers who may be interested in will provide legal advice and services ► Hurricane Harvey Legal Aid Fund getting involved next year. I am thank- www.lsba.org/DR/donations.aspx for individuals who reside in Louisiana ful for the large number of lawyers who parishes affected by the disaster, includ- ► Louisiana Hurricane Harvey Disaster Fund applied for the program reflecting their www.lsba.org/DR/donations.aspx ing Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, interest in and commitment to learning Jefferson Davis, and Vermilion. Callers ► LSBA Disaster Reponse website about the Bar Association. The class in- www.lsba.org/DR can receive answers to legal questions troduces lawyers to the various leader- regarding insurance claims, replace- ► LSBA Disaster Response Message Board ship positions and opportunities to serve www.lsba.org/DR/drmessageboard.aspx ment of legal documents, home re- our Association. If this year’s class is an pair contracts, FEMA issues, etc. The ► LSBA Online pro bono program indication of the kind of lawyers in which LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org American Bar Association Committee we are entrusting the future of our profes- on Disaster Response and Preparedness ► SOLACE requests sion, we are in great hands. Their dedica- [email protected] has also developed a Hurricane Harvey tion of time to this program while work- Relief website, www.lsba.org/goto/ ► Texas Disaster Relief Volunteer Form ing and raising families is admirable. We www.lsba.org/goto/TexasVolunteerForm ABAHurricaneRelief, with valuable in- have a diverse group of lawyers in this formation for both storm survivors and year’s class. I look forward to getting to attorneys who would like to help. practice. The old adage, “You must be know them better and learning about the present to win,” comes to mind. You can- class project they propose. Get Involved and Be Heard not participate in the debate if you do not Join me in welcoming the follow- know where and when the discussion is ing lawyers to our 2017 Leadership The way our citizens have come to- happening. I encourage you to engage in LSBA Class — Bethany A. Blackson, gether to help Texas and the parts of our Bar Association by running for rep- Lake Charles; Anna Brown Priestley, Louisiana affected by Harvey’s devasta- resentative of your respective Judicial Shreveport; Kristian B. Dobard, New tion underlines and emphasizes the mes- Districts, the Board of Governors, or Orleans; Shanerika M. Flemings, sage I intended to bring to our members requesting an appointment to an LSBA Shreveport; Gerald J. Hampton, Jr., New this month before the storm hit: I encour- committee that interests you. We often Orleans; R. Gary Higgins, Jr., Covington; age you to recall those issues, values, and have vacancies in leadership positions Kathleen M. Legendre, ; needs that unite us as a Bar Association. in the LSBA, and the president is tasked Betty Ann Maury, Gretna; J. Reed Poole, While our membership is made up of with filling those vacant positions by Jr., Metairie; Alexander L. Reed, Lake more than 22,000 attorneys with diverse appointment. Let me know if you are Charles; Christopher J. Sellers, Jr., New areas of practice, political affiliations, interested in any available positions. Orleans; Elizabeth Fontenot Shea, Lake and geographic locations, we each con- The LSBA’s website has a link to a de- Charles; Todd C. Taranto, Mandeville; tribute unique skills, experience, and scription of all of our committees and a Arielle L. Young, Baton Rouge; and styles to the practice of law in Louisiana. form you may complete and return to the co-chairs Brittany O. Rosenbloom of As a profession, we are unified in - up LSBA indicating which committees are Metairie and Micah C. Zeno of Gretna. holding the rule of law, supporting the of interest to you. Go to: www.lsba.org/ American judicial system, defending the BarGovernance/Committees.aspx. I hope Conclusion integrity of our judiciary, and supporting all of you will consider getting involved, our members and their representation of making yourselves heard, and contribut- As of presstime, , a their clients, be they corporate or indi- ing to our Association. The contributions Category 5 storm for most of its existence, vidual, in the civil or criminal arena, or in of our members who volunteer to lead has barreled through the Caribbean, the transactions or litigation. the Association in these ways make us Florida Keys and peninsula, and much Sometimes our members find them- vibrant and strong. That strength helps us of the southeastern . Again, selves at odds over our rules of profes- rise to the occasion when situations such united we stand as a Bar Association to sionalism, ethics, advertising, or the as this recent storm develop. help those who need our services in her LSBA Legislation Committee’s actions. wake. May God be with us all during this Lively debate is an essential element of Leadership LSBA Class hurricane season. our mandatory bar and we count on our members to let us know how proposed The Leadership LSBA Class for 2017 rule changes, lobbying efforts, and the — compromised of 14 young lawyers advancement of technology affect your who want to learn about the Association,

Louisiana Bar Journal Vol. 65, No. 3 161