MEMBER CENTER
December 18th Procrastinators' Programs (sm) CLE
Thu, December 18, 2025
Please Scroll for Detailed Agenda
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration Opens
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Ethics)
Legal ethics isn’t static—it’s alive, adaptive, and increasingly complex. This course examines recent developments in lawyer discipline, ethics opinions, and rule changes affecting Louisiana practitioners. Drawing from national ABA guidance, Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary decisions, and emerging issues in confidentiality, fees, and client trust accounts, this session distills what every lawyer must, may, and should do to stay compliant and credible. The program goes beyond black-letter rules to focus on practical, real-world scenarios: managing digital evidence, supervising AI tools, avoiding inadvertent conflicts, and navigating the blurred lines between personal conduct and professional responsibility.
Meghan Bitoun, Louisiana Legal Ethics
10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. Hello from the Other Side 2.0 (Professionalism)
Professionalism a mong attorneys from the perspective of a defense attorney and plaintiff attorney while discussing perspectives and reasoning of the other side of the case.
James “Jimmy” Courtenay, JJC Law LLC
Paula M. Wellons, Taylor, Wellons, Politz & Duhe
11:20 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. Digital Dangers & Difficult Clients: A Practical Guide for Attorneys CLE
This program will cover two highly practical topics for younger and seasoned attorneys:
1. Social Media
2. Working with Difficult Clients
These are issues we all face - sometimes on a daily basis, and getting them right protects your clients, your license, and your sanity.
Reese Ingram, Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers
Paris A. Jean, Paris Jean Law
1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. Rising to the Top: Strategies for Career Advancement for Minorities (Professionalism)
This session will address common challenges faced by minority attorneys in law firms and corporate settings, including navigating implicit bias, accessing mentorship, and effectively promoting oneself for leadership roles. This session will feature senior attorneys from diverse backgrounds who shared their personal stories and offered actionable advice on building networks, finding mentorship, and cultivating resilience in the profession.
Takeaway: Focus on actionable, real-world strategies for advancing in competitive environments, with an emphasis on mentorship and navigating bias.
Hon. Elroy A. James, Orleans Civil District Court
Hon. LaKeisha N. Jefferson, Orleans Civil District Court
Councilmember Lesli Harris, New Orleans City Council
Valerie E. Fontenot, Jones Walker LLP
Ashley J. Heilprin, Phelps Dunbar LLP
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Important Recent Louisiana Cases on Construction Issues
This presentation will cover the most important recent decisions in Louisiana and beyond that affect the construction industry and construction practitioners. Recent developments, decisions, and cases regarding the nationwide status of the disadvantaged business enterprise program, Louisiana cases regarding judicial interpretations of peremption and binding mediation clauses, and other decisions affecting construction industry participants will be discussed in this presentation.
Adrian D'Arcy, D'Arcy Vicknair
Ashley B. Robinson, D’Arcy Vicknair
3:40 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. State Court Summary Judgment Practice: Highlights and Pitfalls
In recent years, Louisiana state courts have rendered several decisions with major ramifications on summary judgment practice. The rules on timing, presentation of evidence, and reconsideration are strict and unyielding and present challenges and opportunities for practitioners. For the fourth year in a row, a distinguished panel of practitioners will reprise this popular summary judgment-focused presentation to discuss issues unique to recent summary judgment amendments and applicable caselaw.
Ally L. Duplechain, Flanagan Partners LLP
Valerie E. Fontenot, Jones Walker LLP
Taylor E. Brett, Adams and Reese LLP
Camille E. Gauthier, Flanagan Partners LLP
4:50 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. Medical Malpractice Round Up!
The program will focus on new trends in medical malpractice law. Specifically from the perspective of plaintiff’s counsel, defense counsel, and attorney chairs.
Kathryn (Katy) Caraway, Caraway LeBlanc
John B. Cazale, Frilot LLC
Kari D. Fleming, Frilot LLC
Vincent Odom, Capitelli and Wicker
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, 4.00 General credits, and 2.00 Professionalism credits.
Located at the Pan American Life Building, 601 Poydras St., 11th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70130
The New Orleans Bar Association will accept written requests for a refund of registration fees, but a $20 administrative fee will be assessed. All cancellations must be received two full days prior to the CLE in order to be eligible for a refund. No refunds for no shows. For refunds, contact Rachael Boudreaux at rboudreaux@neworleansbar.org.