december 2011 promulgator

The Promulgator

Deceember 2011 | Volume 31 | Issue 6

Feature: Larry Curtis Feature: Larry Curtis

20112011--2012 LBA President2012 LBA President

LYLA SOCIAL AT COCHON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INSTALLATION

SCRAPBOOK: ACHIEVEMENTS

The Promulgator December 2011 Volume 31 Issue 6

President’s

Table of Contents

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Executive Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Board Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6‐7

LYLA Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LYLA Social at Cochon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9‐10

2011‐2012 LBA President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11‐12

Scrapbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Classified. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Grapevine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Lafayette Bar

Association, founded in 1972, will celebrate an important its 40th anniversary in a few months. In its inception, our Bar was populated by a small group of lawyers dedicated to the idea that a local or regional association might be more responsive to the particular needs and concerns of lawyers practicing in a suburban or rural setting, as opposed to a large urban city. In the early days, as the story is told, the change of bar presidents was marked by a familiar ritual, or at least a familiar ritual to bar members at that time , the new bar president was to be immediately placed in possession of the association’s records keep, at that tine, in a very old shoe box. The idea harbored by this small group of lawyers was that comradery and social interaction might improve the plight of the professional’s tormented existence–being in the first instance a counselor , but at he same time a zealous advocate for his client’s cause. Slowly the idea gained momentum, energized mostly, by the enthusiasm and sheer force of will of these local icons. We should find the time, during this holiday season, to thank those who, so many years ago, turned the idea of a local bar association into a reality.

With those recollections and observations as a backdrop, the question, believe, we need to ask is can we do to honor those who, through their tireless efforts, catapulted this association to the place we now occupy. I think we are duty bound to take our association to the next level–that’s our challenge. When I look around at young

members of our legal community, I believe we have a talent pool like no other‐‐ I see very smart, extremely capable, but properly grounded, young professionals who are probably capable of doing anything they put their collective mind too. If each of us, commits to participating in the work of our Association–whether your time commitment is big or small, we will all be better off for it.

2011-2012 LBA President

Larry Curtis, Attorney at Law Article continued on page 11

Volume 31 Issue 6 The Promulgator December 2011


Executive Message

LBA Executive Director

Susan Holliday

The Promulgator The Promulgator is published six times a year by the Lafayette Bar Association. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Committee of the Lafayette Bar Association.

Published by: Lafayette Bar Association 2607 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503 P.O. Box 2194, Lafayette, LA 70502‐2194 tel: (337) 237‐4700 fax: (337) 237‐0970

www.lafayettebar.org The mission of the Lafayette Bar Association is to serve the profession, its members and the community by promoting justice, professional excellence, respect for the rule of law and

Officers Larry Curtis President

Blake David President‐Elect

Tricia Pierre Secretary/Treasurer

André Doguet Immediate Past President

Board of Directors

Julia Autin Nicole Breaux

Ariel Campos, Sr. J. Bradley Duhe Cade Evans

Shytishia A. Moore Flugence Paul D. Gibson

Kyle L. Gideon Joseph C. Giglio, Jr.

Steven Ramos Cynthia K. Simon Melissa L. Theriot

G. Edward Williams, Jr. Cassie Willis

Committee & Section Chairs

Acadiana Legal Services Corporation, Ariel Campos Bench Bar, Kyle Gideon Family Law Section, Julia Autin Lafayette Young Lawyers, Steven Ramos

Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers, Cassie Willis Louis A. Martinet Society, Sam Flugence Maritime CLE, Chuck Mouton & Doug Truxillo Promulgator, Elena Pecoraro

Editorial Committee

Elena Pecoraro, Editor Shawn Carter Cade Evans

Lauren Gardner

Rebekah Huggins Barbara Olinde Laura Putnam Cynthia Simon

LBA Staff

Susan Holliday Executive Director

Tammy Derouen

LVL Program Director

Penny Rogers Executive Assistant

Claire Oliver

Marketing Director

With the pace of life

these days, I encourage you to slow down, pause and reflect on just how blessed we are. No matter what type of year you have had we all can find something for which we should be grateful. For this issue’s column I did just that.

First, I want to thank Dona Renegar and Jill Wade, who for two straight years have planned the Running in Heels cle. It’s innovative and cutting edge and most importantly provides female members an outlet to addresses relevant issues.

Danielle Cromwell, Andre Doguet and Judge Castle. Because of these three volunteers the fate of the Lafayette Parish Law Library is secured for years to come. They successfully lobbied the legislature for an increase to keep with the rising costs of running the law library. It was no easy task but one that was much needed.

Joe Giglio did an outstanding job as Bench Bar Chair. He is one of the finest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him on my favorite annual event.

A huge thank you goes out to Jacob Hargett for him agreeing to be our “handyman” for the day. Jacob graciously agreed to assemble a piece of furniture purchased for the bar building. It’s a rolling beverage cart and it’s awesome and so are you Jacob!

And last but certainly not least is Miles Matt. I keep thinking the day will come when he stops taking my calls about the building, but luckily that day has not yet arrived. So thank you Miles for always being my “go to guy” on all things related to our beautiful building.

Please be on the lookout for your 2012 Membership Renewal Statements which will be mailed in December. On behalf of me and the entire LPBA staff we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!


The swanky hotspot, Trynd

provided a great setting for Mr. Larry Curtis to be sworn in as the 2011‐ 2012 President of the Lafayette Bar Association. This annual event had all the makings for a good time; elegant hors d’ourves, festive cocktails, live music and great networking between members of the Lafayette

Bar Association.

The Honorable Rebecca Doherty was on hand to perform the official swearing in of Larry, members of the Executive Committee and the 2011‐2012 Board of Directors.

The evening’s Premier Sponsor was Mid South Bank represented by Jerry Reaux, Linda Terry, Dwight Kaufman, Kelly LeBlanc and Ceci Thomassie.

The Supporting Sponsor was Barczyk Chiropractic Group represented by Dr. David Barczyk, Dr. Michelle Didier and Katie Marino. Executive Committee Members: Blake David, Broussard & David, President‐Elect Tricia R. Pierre, Tricia R. Pierre Attorney at Law, Secretary‐Treasurer Andre Doguet, Attorney at Law, Immediate Past President

2011-2012 Board of

Directors

Installation

Honoring LBA

President Larry Curtis


Thanks to our Premier Sponsor:

2011‐2012 Board Members: Julia Autin, Attorney at Law Nicole Breaux, Law Office of Nicole B. Breaux, LLC Ariel Campos, Sr., Acadiana Legal Service Corporation J. Brad Duhe, Ottinger Hebert, LLC Cade Evans, Allen & Gooch Shytishia Flugence, Flugence Law Firm Paul D. Gibson, Gibson, Gruenert, & Zaunbrecher Kyle Gideon, Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards Joseph C. Giglio, Jr., Liskow & Lewis Steven Ramos, Onebane Law Firm Cynthia K. Simon, District Attorney’s Office, 15th JDC Melissa Theriot, Laborde & Neuner G. Edward Williams, Jr., Williams & Associates Law Firm, LLC Cassie Willis, Attorney at Law

Thanks to our Supporting Sponsor:


Lafayette Young Lawyers

The last couple months

have been a little slow for the Lafayette Young Lawyers. After enjoying a great Fall Social at Cochon in October ‐‐ thank you Donnie O'Pry, Jeff Coreil, and Jerome Moroux ‐‐ LYLA concluded its events for the year. Of course, the lull will not last long.

Beginning early next month, LYLA will gear up for a full slate of 2012 events. In short order, dozens of young lawyers will dedicate a great deal of their time to plan and deliver several programs such as a Winter Social, Mock Trial Competition, Speaker's Luncheon Meeting, LBA Golf Tournament, and Law Week, in addition to many other charitable and professional events. The upcoming year promises to be both busy and rewarding.

I would also like to thank Ruthie Toce, LBA's outgoing Marketing Director, for several year of service to LYLA. Ruthie worked hard to make many of our past events a success. She was a great asset to the organization and will be truly missed. However, I am thankful that we have Claire Olivier, an able and enthusiastic successor, to take Ruthie's place.

Last but not least, as we enter this special time of year, I'd like to wish all of our bar members and their families happy holidays and a very merry Christmas.

2011-2012 LBA President

Larry Curtis, Attorney at Law


The Lafayette Young Lawyers did it again! They have another great party under their belt after the October Last Appointment social. This time, we were able to scope out the new restaurant in River Ranch, Cochon. Lafayette attorneys and judges filled the outside patio area where everyone enjoyed drinks and great conversation. We were lucky to have perfect weather to enjoy a beautiful sunset next to the Vermillion River. A huge thanks to all the sponsors that helped to make this such a fantastic event. Those sponsors include Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, Shawn Johnston, DC Chiropractic & Rehab Services, and LEX Litigation Group.

Lafayette Young Lawyers Association Fall

Social at Cochon

Sponsored by:

Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr and Smith

Thanks Also to:

Shawn Johnston, DC Chiropractic &

Rehab Services

Lex Litigation Group


Shawn Johnston, DC Chiropractic & Rehab Services

Thanks to our sponsors:


The task before me seems enormous, but I come to this position

with a huge advantage. I have had the opportunity to watch

others, with tremendous talent, passion, and commitment serve

as your President. I can say without the fear of contradiction,

that I have witnessed grace and style exhibited, by your former

bar Presidents, even when things were not necessarilt going as

planned–or at least it seemed that way at that moment. I thank

each one of them for showing me, by example, what it means to

be an effective President of your Bar Association.

My focus in the coming year is really threefold. First, we as a

profession have a wonderful story be told. It is a story of gener‐

osity, abounding with meaningful participation in all facet of

our community, filled with selfless acts, motivated by only a

keen desire to serve the people of our community. I truly be‐

lieve that as a professional association, we can ensure that this

story reaches all the people of our community who are unaware

of the contributions made by so many lawyers in our commu‐

nity. Second, we need to be prepared to speak up, as a profes‐

sional organization, when judges in our community come un‐

der attacked. You and I are aware that there are forces intent on

unfairly and maliciously attacking the judiciary when a legal

dispute is not decided as they think it should be. While we

need to think before we take a position. We must carefully con‐

sider the message we want to deliver and then, and only then,

should we speak with one united voice. In the coming days, I

intend to form a committee to make a preliminary study about

how we, as an association, can best approach the public dis‐

course when it concerns an unreasonable and inappropriate

attack on a judge. They can’t speak–but we can. Third, we need

to find a way, to engage our colleagues who are employed as in‐

house forbusiness and industry. We will begin working on this

project in early February and I will let you know how we plan to

accomplish that goal.

Finally, during the next few weeks, live in the moment, spend as

much time with your family as you can, and enjoy everything

that this holiday season has to offer.


Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers

March 2nd, 2012 GOL Shooting Range

Mark your calendar and call either

Tammy DeRouen or Penny Rogers at 337-237-4700 or e-mail Tammy at

[email protected] to inquire about sponsorship opportunities and team

registrations. *Please note: No shooting or hunting skills are required to come out and have a great time!*


LBA Attorney Named Grand Master of I'Ordre du Bon Temps The Acadian Memorial Foundation proudly announces the 2011 Grand Master of the Order of Good Times or I'Ordre du Bon Temps, the annual fundraising gala for the Acadian Memorial. Warren Perrin, pictured here, the well known Cajun lawyer from Erath and Lafayette. Multi‐talented as an author, entrepreneur, adjunct professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and great promoter of the Acadiana way of life Perrin is a long time supporter of the Acadian Memorial. Warren A. Perrin shown with the Queen Elizabeth's Royal Proclamation which, for the first time, acknowledges the historical wrongs done to the Acadians by the Crown and establishing a "Day of Commemoration" on every July 28th.

LYLA Wins ABA YLD Awards of Achievement Lafayette Young Lawyers Association won three awards for the American Bar Association’s 2010‐2011 Awards of Achievement. They won 2nd place in a comprehensive category for their division, a Certificate of Performance for their e‐newsletter, and second place for the Birdie with the Bar Golf Tournament in the Service to the Public category.


Classified

Healthcare Attorney (non-litigation) with 2-4 years of experience needed to join Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. BS&W has provided client service for over 80 years and is a Baton Rouge-based law firm with offices in multiple locations in Louisiana. This associate position is located in the Baton Rouge office. Our firm offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Interested c a n d id a t e s p l e a s e s e n d r e s u me s t o [email protected].

To place an ad in the Promulgator, contact Claire Oliver for ad sizes and rate information.

(337)237‐4700 [email protected]

Correction:

In the October 2011 issue, photo credits were not given for photos featuring Nicole Breaux in the Off the Beaten Path section. Credits are as follows: first photo in the water is Courtesy of Hoofclix, the second photo is Courtesy of

Xpress Foto, the third photo is Courtesy of Hoofclix, and the last photo is Courtesy of Xpress Foto.

MEDIATION SERVICES

Todd A. Delcambre and Barry J. Rozas

Accepting cases in personal injury litigation, including

Jones Act, Longshore and state workers comp cases

LeBas Law Offices, APLC, 201 Rue Iberville, Suite 600 Lafayette, LA 70508; 337-236-5500; www.lebaslaw.com

Juneau David, APLC, an AV-rated Lafayette insurance defense firm, seeks attorney with 2-5 years litigation experience preferred. Interesting / varied statewide litigation practice. Practice includes maritime personal injury, general casualty, employment, product liability and professional liability work. For more info, see www.juneaudavid.com. Send resume /inquiries to [email protected].


Grapevine Calendar Of Events

December Events

• 6. CLE By the Hour 8 am ‐ noon, LBA Headquarters

• 8. LBA Holiday Party 6‐8pm at the LBA headquarters

• 14. CLE By the Hour 8 am ‐ 5pm, LBA Headquarters




• 25. Christmas Day

• 26. LBA Office Closed

• 27. LBA Office Closed



January Events

• 6. Court Opening & Red Mass at Lafayette Parish Courthouse and St. John’s Cathedral

• 25. Champions of Justice Awards Breakfast

February Events

• 21. Mardi Gras

• 25. Region II High School Mock Trial Tournament at Lafayette Parish Courthouse

Gordon Arata McCollam Duplantis & Eagan, LLC is pleased to announce that Bob J. Duplantis and John M. McCollam have been named Lawyers of the Year in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012. The Firm members were recognized in three practice areas for their contributions to the legal profession in this publication. Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions announces that panel member, Patrick J. Briney, will begin serving as a mediator effective October 1, 2011. Mr. Briney will continue to practice with the Briney Foret Corry law firm in Lafayette. Additionally, Mr. Briney will continue to serve as an arbitrator on the Perry Dampf panel. Telephone contact is 866-389-9899. Congratulations to Holly Lamarche and Teylor Feliz on the birth of their first son, Isaac Max Feliz. Gordon Arata McCollam Duplantis & Eagan, LLC announces that Louis M. Phillips, Firm Member and resident in the Baton Rouge office, was elected by the Board of Regents of the American College of Bankruptcy to serve as a 2012 Fifth Circuit Fellow. Gordon Arata McCollam Duplantis & Egan, LLC is pleased to announce the Firm has been recognized both in National and Metropolitan rankings, by U.S. News and & Best Lawyers as a 2011-2012 “Best Law Firm” in their stand-alone publication. The law firm of Briney Foret Corry is pleased to announce the association of Hallie P. Coreil. The law firm of Gibson, Gruenert & Zaunbrecher, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce the Francine A. Elliot has joined the firm as an associate. Ms. Elliot’s practice is concentrated in commercial litigation; business law; insurance law; general civil litigation; family law; and wills and estates. Her expertise also includes general liability, products liability and medical malpractice defense. Preis & Roy is pleased to announce that Jean Ann Billeaud, Elizabeth P. Everett and Madison E. Toepfer have joined the Firm’s Lafayette office. LeBas Law Offices APLC is pleased to announce that F. Douglas Ortego has joined the firm. St. Joseph Diner recently accepted a donation from Preis & Roy that will fund Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals for Acadiana’s hungry and homeless. The local law firm has a longstanding tradition of supporting the diner’s holiday efforts. The diner has served those in need since 1973 and currently provides over 200 meals a day. Tracy Curtis has moved to the law offices of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith.

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