JANUARY 2016 2015-16 Presidents Judy Y. Barrasso, New Orleans Bar Association President, Judge Terri F. Love, Inn of Court President and Darryl M. Phillips, New Orleans Bar Foundation President The 2015-16 Get Involved in one of NOBA’s Committees Board of Directors • Administrative Law • Family Law & Domestic Violence • Alternative Dispute Resolution • Health Care Law Judy Y. Barrasso • Appellate Practice • Immigration Law President • Bankrupty & Debtor/Creditor • Insurance Law Rights • Labor & Employment Law Christopher K. Ralston • Business Law • Maritime & International Law President-Elect • Civil Rights and Liberties • Oil & Gas Law • Class Actions/Complex Litigation • Pharmaceuticals/Medical • Construction Law Devices Steven J. Lane • Criminal Law • Products Liability Vice-President • Entertainment & Sports Law/ • Real Property Law Technology & Intellectual Property • Tax Law Robert P. Thibeaux • Property Law/Technology • Wills/Trusts/Successions Vice-President • Environmental Law/Toxic Torts • Workers’ Compensation Law James M. Williams Contact Liz Daino at (504) 525-7453 or [email protected] Vice-President Dana M. Douglas NEW COMMITTEE! Secretary In the upcoming year, the Business Law Committee will provide substantive programing on both corporate transactional and business Paul M. Sterbcow litigation issues as well as networking opportunities for business lawyers. Treasurer Walter J. Leger, Jr. If you would like to take an active role in this Committee in 2017, please Past President contact committee chair Alicia Bendana at [email protected]. Darryl M. Phillips President, Bar Foundation Briefly Speaking Editors: Kelly G. Juneau Rookard Alex H. Glaser Young Lawyers Chair Jason P. Waguespack Terms Ending 2016 Lisa M. Africk Albert J. Derbes, IV James C. Gulotta, Jr. Jason P. Waguespack Terms Ending 2017 Camala E. Capodice Mark A. Cunningham William B. Gaudet Jan M. Hayden Terms Ending 2018 Rachael D. Johnson Peter E. Sperling Joseph P. Tynan Sharonda R. Williams Helena N. Henderson Executive Director PAGE 2 - BRIEFLY SPEAKING 91ST ANNUAL DINNER MEETING For example, NOBA has led the effort to connect New Orleans lawyers to Cuba through trips to the country and exchanges with its lawyers. The orga- nization has also hosted various events in support of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. Finally, and most importantly, Judy discussed NOBA’s place in fostering the diversity and inclusiveness of the New Orleans legal profession. Through committees like Minorities in the Profession and Women in the Profession, our bar association’s commitment to these values is obvious. There were some other highlights. Walter Leger, Jr. was honored for his service as president of the organization for the past year. Under Walter’s leadership, NOBA led a delegation to Cuba to foster legal and business exchange between our city and the Cuban legal community. The association also flourished in a myriad of other ways, including over 200 CLE meetings, plus 200 committee meetings, and one of the most active Judy Barrasso, President 2015-16 and Walter Leger, Jr., President 2014-15 he New Orleans Bar Association’s Annual TDinner opened with the sweet sounds of Dr. Michael White’s clarinet. One immediately knew that this was going to be a special night. In its 91st year of existence, you knew that this was not any old bar association – it was the New Orleans Bar Association. The highlight of the evening was Judy Barrasso’s induction as the president of our association. Her speech highlighted the importance of the orga- nization and the values on which it relies. She discussed the value of the organization as the social and professional center of the legal community. She is correct that knowing an opponent or the presiding judge makes the lawyers in New Orleans a legal community instead of just members of the same profession. She further highlighted some of the projects that NOBA has been at the forefront of Dr. Michael White and spearheading. Judy Barrasso, President 2015-16 BRIEFLY SPEAKING - PAGE 3 Young Lawyers Sections in the United States. This author can attest first-hand to the value of Walter’s leadership during the Young Lawyers Section Bar & Grille. Walter showed up early, stayed late, and mimicked the enthusiasm and spirit of the young lawyers that were hosting the event. We thank him for his service – he will be missed. Two other presidents were in- ducted during the annual dinner – Daryl Phillips of Entergy as the President of the New Orleans Bar Foundation and Judge Terri Love of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal as the Inn of Court Kelly Juneau Rookard, recently elected as the 2015-16 YLS Chair seated President. Under their leader- between Kelly Brilleaux (left) and Ashley Becnel (right). ship, both organizations will Standing are Kimberly Silas, Aaron Greenbaum, Gerard Gaudet, Eric Sella, undoubtedly thrive in the coming Alex Glaser, Ross Molina, Ashley Heilprin. year. The annual dinner would not have been complete without a recognition of all of the hard work and dedication that Helena Henderson has provided. Year after year, she continues to tire- lessly serve our organization as Executive Director. She knows NOBA through and through, and our bar association would not flourish without her. We look forward to working with her again this year. On a final note, we wish every- one a healthy new year. Cheers to the New Orleans Bar Associa- tion 2016 – under the leadership of the three amazing individuals on this month’s cover, the year Judge Ethel Simms Julien, Judge Paula Brown, Judy Barrasso, President 2015-16, Judge Regina Woods and Judge Tiffany Chase promises to be a great one! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alex Glaser is an Associate at Phelps Dunbar, LLP. PAGE 4 - BRIEFLY SPEAKING NOBA 50-year members: Tommy Lind, President 1995- Judge Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Judge Chris Bruno 96, Louis Kiefer, Jr. and Charles Johnson and Judge Tiffany Chase Brian Quirk, President 2010-11, Chris Ralston, David Bienvenu, YLS Chair 1988-89 and LSBA President-Elect 2015-16, Judge Nakisha Ervin-Knott, President 1997-98, Minor Pipes, Louisiana Bar Mark Surprenant, President 2013-14, Foundation President and Judge Tiffany Chase Walter Leger, Jr., President 2014-15 Janis van Meerveld, Debbie Rouen and Gerard Gaudet, YLS Executive Council 2015-16 Judge Carl Barbier, President 2006-07 and Aaron Greenbaum, YLS Chair-Elect 2015-16 BRIEFLY SPEAKING - PAGE 5 Steven Lane, Vice President 2015-16, Judge Ethel Dana Douglas, Secretary 2015-16. Judge Roland Simms Julien, Henry Julien Belsome and Judge Regina Woods Pat Vance, President 2011-12, Brian Quirk, President Walter Leger, Jr., President 2014-15, Kelsey Meeks, 2010-11, Dr. Charles Glaser and Chris Ralston, President-Elect 2015-16 Peter Sperling, NOBA Board of Directors Judge Robin Giarrusso, Judge Nakisha Ervin-Knott David Meyer, Dean of Tulane Law School, Judy Barrasso, and Judy Gainsburgh President 2015-16 and John Pearce, President 1997-98 PAGE 6 - BRIEFLY SPEAKING INN OF COURT 2015-16 he New Orleans Bar Association Inn of Court was chartered in 1992 and is one of four New TOrleans inns associated with the American Inns of Court. The American Inns of Court is a national association of attorneys and judges dedicated to increasing the level of professionalism and civility in the practice of law and the enhancement of the quality of legal services in our community. The program is patterned after the English Inns of Court in which more senior attorneys tutor law students and younger attorneys within the organization of inns and its members discuss emerging issues of law in a bench-bar setting. “I am honored to serve as President of the New Orleans Bar Association Inn of Court. The Executive Board has been working with the membership to plan informative and relevant CLEs throughout the year, and to ensure that our pupils have the opportunity to interact socially and professionally with the masters to gain valuable insight on the practice of law. The highlight of each year is our CLE on Mardi Gras law issues. It is always well-attended and ensures that our members are familiar with the case law as we continue to Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler during Mardi Gras.” Inn Of Court 2015-16 President The Hon. Terri F. Love Inn of Court Officers President The Hon. Terri F. Love Counselor Christopher K. Ralston Vice-President Membership The Hon. Robin M. Giarrusso Secretary Earl “Trey” F. Sundmaker, III Treasurer Jack C. Benjamin, Jr. Past President Michael J. Mestayer BRIEFLY SPEAKING - PAGE 7 NEW ORLEANS BAR FOUNDATION 2015-16 New Orleans Bar Foundation 2015-16 President Darryl M. Phillips n 2014, the New Orleans Bar Association and its Foundation (NOBAF) accomplished a first in Ithe nation as a local bar. We established a Fellowship in Public Interest Law which is intended to be an annual award to provide legal civil aid to our low income and indigent citizens. The Fellowship was awarded to Laura Malveau at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) where work is focused on providing legal services to domestic violence victims and enhancing family stability in the Greater New Orleans area. Darryl Phillips, New Orleans Bar Foundation President, believes the Public Interest Law Fellowship is a reconnection tool: “The Fellowship performs a critical function which I believe is a part of every l awyer’s DNA ... a desire to help those less fortunate. The modern practice of law, with our fax machines, text messaging, emails and in- stant messaging, allows for instant, yet somewhat impersonal communication. The funding of the Public Interest Law Fellowship fills that gap by reconnecting our profession to its roots ... helping those less fortunate. Your continued support is critical to our mission. ‘To those to whom much is given, much is expected’ Thank you all in advance for your continued support!” Please continue to send your donations to New Orleans Bar Foundation at 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1505, New Orleans, LA 70130.