CLE & Events

Bench Bar Conference

The Legal Eras Tour


Registration
Event:
Fri, March 28, 2025 to
Sun, March 30, 2025

Online registration for this event is closed.
Details

Join the New Orleans Bar Association for the 2025 Bench Bar Conference at the beautiful Hilton Lodge in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on March 28-30, 2025. The weekend promises to be a fascinating exploration of the latest developments in the legal community including Meet the Judges, a rapid-fire, round-robin session where lawyers will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with judges from state and federal courts. 

Agenda:

Friday, March 28, 2025
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Registration
2:55 - 3:00 p.m.  Welcoming Remarks

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

 




 

The Mediation Era
Who isn't a mediator these days? What separates the good ones from the bad ones?

Panel Chair: Bryan C. Reuter, Stanley Reuter Alford Owen Munson & Paul, LLC
Speakers: Hon. Eva J. Dossier, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Hon. Kern A. Reese, Orleans Civil District Court
Harold J. Adkins, MAPS
Ernest "Ernie" Gieger, Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions

Bios

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
 




 

The In-House Counsel Era
In-house counsel perspectives

Panel Chair: Francis V. "Frank" Liantonio, Jr., Adams and Reese LLP
Panelists: Jaimme A. Collins, Liberty Bank Trust & Company
Jennifer M. Neil, Pool Corporation
Greg Rouchell, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans

Bios

Slides

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
 





 

The Discovery Era
Is it worth filing the motion?

Panel Chair: Hon. Karen Wells Roby, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Panelists: Hon. Marcus O. DeLarge, Orleans Criminal District Court
Matthew M. Friedman, Taylor, Wellons, Politz & Duhe, LLC
Stephen J. Herman, Fishman Haygood LLP
Tessa P. Vorhaben, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Bios

Slides

4:45 - 6:15 p.m.

 






 

The Meet the Judges Era

Chair/Moderator: Judge Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, EDLA

What do judges expect in their courtrooms? What won’t judges tolerate? Are
there special rules that exist particular to each judge’s court? Do you want
to know special practice pointers? Get the answers and more at “Meet the
Judges.” “Meet the Judges” is a rapid-fire, round-robin session where lawyers
will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the
judiciary.

Bios
6:30 p.m.

Special thanks to The Opening Act: Cocktails and Dinner Sponsor: Asher Meyers 
 
Saturday, March 29, 2025
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast
8:55 - 9:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
 

 




 

The Professionalism Era
Lawyers as politicians, good or bad?

Panel Chair: J. Christopher Zainey, Jr., Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso
Panelists: Hon. Jay C. Zainey, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Senator Royce Duplessis, Louisiana State Senate
Joseph I. "Joe" Giarrusso III, Phelps Dunbar LLP, New Orleans City Councilmember
Walter J. "Walt" Leger III, New Orleans and Company, Former Louisiana State Representative
Professor Monica Hof Wallace, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Sharonda Williams, Fishman Haygood LLP

Bios

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

 




 

The Summary Judgment Era
An update on Louisiana's summary judgment procedure

Panel Chair: Laurence D. "Lon" LeSueur, Jr., Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, LLC
Panelists: Hon. Rachael D. Johnson, La. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal
Hon. June B. Darensburg, 24th Judicial District Court
Valerie E. Fontenot, Jones Walker LLP
Lauren Pilié, Morris Bart LLC

Bios

Slides

Materials 1

Materials 2

Materials 3

Materials 4

Materials 5

10:40 - 11:10 a.m.
 





 

The Federal and State Comparison Era
How to be comfortable no matter where your case lands.

Panel Chair: Jeff Green, JJC Law, LLC
Panelists: Hon. Barry W. Ashe, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Hon. Monique E. Barial, Orleans Civil District Court
Roderick "Rico" Alvendia, Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest
Andrew D. "Andy" Weinstock, Duplass APLC

Bios

Slides

11:20 - 11:50 a.m.
 

 



 

The Trial Quantum Era
A discussion of trial strategy and recent verdicts and case quanta

Panel Chair: Peter E. Sperling, Frilot LLC
Panelists: Hon. Darrel James Papillion,, U.S. District Court, EDLA, Conference Co-Chair
Hon. Shayna Beevers Morvant, 24th Judicial District Court
Stephen M. Huber, Huber Thomas
Rachel G. Webre, Laborde Siegel L.L.C.

Bios

11:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
 





 

The Maritime Era
The divergence of the Jones Act analysis in state and federal court

Panel Chair: Frederick William "Billy" Swaim III, Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith
Panelists: Hon. Dana M. Douglas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Hon. Carl J. Barbier, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Jefferson R. "Jeff" Tillery, Jones Walker LLP
Beth E. Abramson, Lewis Kullman Sterbcow and Abramson, LLC

Bios

Slides
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.  
 
Sunday, March 30, 2025
8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:25 - 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
 





 

The Appellate Era
Be a better briefer.

Panel Chair: Hon. Nakisha Ervin-Knott, La. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal, Conference Co-Chair
Panelists: Hon. Sandra Cabrina Jenkins, La. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal 
Camille E. Gauthier, Flanagan Partners LLP
Jeremy T. Grabill, Phelps Dunbar LLP
Nicholas J. Wehlen, Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC

Bios

Slides

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.





 

The Post-Direct Action Era
A discussion of changes to the Louisiana Direct Action Statute

Panel Chair: Richard E. "Rich" King, Melchiode, Marks, King
Panelists: Harold J. Flanagan, Flanagan Partners LLP
Rachel S. Kellogg, Pipes Miles Beckman LLC
Stuart D. Kottle, Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C.
M. Davis Ready, Simon Peragine, Smith & Redfearn, LLP

Bios

Slides

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
 





 

The Ethical Era
Avoid the landmine by avoiding the minefield: no need for close calls.

Panel Chair: Angie Christina, McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC
Panelists: Hon. Wendy B. Vitter, U.S. District Court, EDLA
Hon. Omar K. Mason, Orleans Civil District Court
Kelly Juneau Rookard, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore and Daniels, LLC
Justin I. Woods, Clerk of Court, La. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal

Bios

Slides

Registration Information:

Registration is a 2-Step Process

1. Submit NOBA Conference Registration form with Payment

Lawyers: Download the 2025 Bench Bar Conference Lawyer Registration Form

Judges: Email Briana Nelms or call (504) 525-7453 for Judicial Registration Form

For payment

NOBA Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received by March 20, 2025, for a full refund minus a $30 administrative fee. 

2. Book Your Stay at The Hilton Lodge, Gulf Shores, AL
NOBA's Room Block is sold out. Contact Briana Nelms, bnelms@neworleansbar.org, for assistance.

There is a waiting list for room reservations. If you need to cancel your room reservation, please contact Briana Nelms, bnelms@neworleansbar.org before you contact the hotel. We will work to transfer your room to someone on the waitlist. We are only able to transfer the room to the waitlist if the cancellation is made through NOBA. If we are unable to transfer the room to the waiting list, please note that the hotel carries a 5-day cancellation policy. Any changes or cancellations to any reservation less than 5 days in advance will incur a one-night room and tax penalty.

For Law Firm Patron and Corporate Sponsorship Information:

Become Law Firm Patron Become a Corporate Sponsor

 

 

Contact:

  1. Email Briana Nelms
  2. Call NOBA (504) 525-7453
Credit
This program has been approved for credit in the following jurisdiction(s):

Committee on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, Louisiana Supreme Court

Credit has been approved with the Committee on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, Louisiana Supreme Court for 1.00 Ethics credit, 6.00 General credits, and 1.00 Professionalism credit.

Registration
Event:
Fri, March 28, 2025 to
Sun, March 30, 2025

Online registration for this event is closed.
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