The Promulgator The Official Magazine of the Lafayette Bar Association
Returning back to normal
August 2021 | volume 34 | issue 4
Association Board
OUR MISSION is to serve the profession, its members and the community by promoting professional excellence, respect for the rule of law and fellowship among attorneys and the court.
THE PROMULGATOR is the official magazine of the Lafayette Bar Association, and is published six times per year. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Committee.
ON THE COVER
With COVID finally on the backboard, we look forward to all of the events taking place in the upcoming year. The cover depicts a few of Lafayette's cultural hot spots. As we venture back to normal, we look back on the top 10 silver linings of this COVID-19 Pandemic. Read more on page 10.
ARTICLES
President's Message........................................................... 4 Executive Director's Message...................................... 5 Access to Justice: Foundation News...................... 6 Young Lawyers Section Update................................ 7 Family Law Section Update......................................... 8 Criminal Law Section Update..................................... 8 Cover Story: Summer Vacation Challenge........ 10
FEATURES
Pro Bono Honor Roll.......................................................... 3 Judicial Spotlight................................................................. 4 Classifieds................................................................................... 8 Top 10............................................................................................ 11 Off the Beaten Path: Britney Hebert..................... 13 Health & Wellness................................................................. 14 The Grapevine.......................................................................... 14 Trivia Question........................................................................ 16
EVENTS Running in Heels.................................................................. 16 Spring Social............................................................................ 17
stay connected
UPCOMING EVENTS AUG 26-28 BENCH BAR Annual Bench Bar Conference Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans www.lafayettebar.org/bench_bar
SEPT 18 YLS TENNIS TOURNAMENT Red Lerille's Health & Racquet Club Check in starts at 8 AM Play starts at 9 AM Tickets on sale: www.lafayettebar.org
OCT 13 HALL OF FAME GALA Honoring Hall of Fame Class of 2020 City Club River Ranch Cocktails at 6 PM Dinner at 7 PM Tickets on sale: www.lafayettebar.org
NOV 04 LBA BOARD INSTALLATION
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/lafayettebar
Installation of 2021-2022 Board of
See us on Instagram @lba_lafayettebar
as President
Follow us on Twitter @Lafayette_bar Visit us online www.lafayettebar.org
Directors including Shannon Dartez UL Alumni Center | 5:30 - 7:30 PM www.lafayettebar.org | $20 per person Purchase Tickets: lafayettebar.org To register for events, visit lafayettebar.org or call (337) 237-4700.
Karen King, President Shannon Dartez, President-Elect Robert Kallam, Secretary/Treasurer Glenn Edwards, Imm. Past President George D. Ernest III, Foundation Chair John Barron Paige Beyt Roya Boustany Vicky Bowers Stuart Breaux Carolyn Cole Robert David Claire Edwards Taylor Fontenot Kenneth Hebert McKinley James Jason Matt Lindsay Meador Young Gregory Mier Andrew Mims Gregory Moroux Joseph Oelkers Maggie Simar
Foundation Board
George D. Ernest III, Foundation Chair Greg Tonore, Vice Chair Dean Cole, Secretary/Treasurer John Swift, Imm. Past Chair Shannon Dartez Blake David Theodore "Glenn" Edwards Thomas R. Hightower, Jr. Jonathan Jarrett Karen King Miles Matt John McElligott Lindsay Meador Young Kenny Oliver Maggie Simar
Editorial Committee Edward Barousse, Editor Corrie Gallien Cranay Murphy Daniel Phillips Dyan Schnaars
Mandi Bucher Dwazendra Smith Claire Edwards
Lafayette Bar Staff Pam Landaiche Executive Director Marilyn Lopez Director of Pro Bono Services Jessica McNabb Events Coordinator Katie Blanchet Marketing Coordinator Cheryl Robichaux Administrative Assistant
president' s message Overcoming "Guilty Vacation Syndrome"
Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on one of my earliest leadership experiences, Louisiana Youth Seminar, or LYS. I attended LYS on the campus of “USL” as a high school junior. This was my first experience working with other leaders across the state. Nervous, I arrived with a slight chip on my shoulder, ready to erect walls to protect myself from any unkind peers. What I encountered was an amazing Karen King experience that opened my world beyond my small high school in my small town. If you are a former LYS delegate, then you are familiar with the seminar theme song, “No Man is an Island.” The song is rooted in the sermon of the same name penned by John Donne over 400 years ago. Donne wrote:
"NO MAN IS AN ISLAND ENTIRE OF ITSELF; EVERY MAN IS A PIECE OF THE CONTINENT, A PART OF THE MAIN; IF A CLOD BE WASHED AWAY BY THE SEA, EUROPE IS THE LESS, AS WELL AS IF A PROMONTORY WERE, AS WELL AS ANY MANNER OF THY FRIENDS OR OF THINE OWN WERE; ANY MAN’S DEATH DIMINISHES ME, BECAUSE I AM INVOLVED IN MANKIND. AND THEREFORE NEVER SEND TO KNOW FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS; IT TOLLS FOR THEE." As I thought about LYS and the lessons I learned there, such as collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and understanding and accepting others, I was struck by our current plight as a state and global community. This issue of The Promulgator was to focus on coming out of the pandemic. Alas, Louisiana is in the grips of an unforgiving surge of this novel pandemic, which provides a stark reminder of the interdependence of our society. As lawyer leaders, we are often thrown into situations where we may be a little out of our depth. However, if we lower our guard, and remain open, we can connect and work with others for the common good, allowing us to reach greater heights personally, and as a community. Isn’t that what our founders envisioned when they organized our Constitution to “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”?
PRO BONO
HONOR ROLL the following attorneys have accepted one or more Pro bono cases in the past two months George (Dave) Ernest III Hulburt, Monrose, & Ernest
Jonathan Jarrett The Jarrett Firm, LLC
Caleb Aguillard H. Kent & Caleb K. Aguillard, Attorneys at Law
William Keaty II Keaty and Tilly Attorneys at Law
Michael Benjamin Alexander Attorney at Law
Craig Little Little & Bousquet Law Firm, LLC
Katelyn Bayhi NeunerPate Megan Clark Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith Claire Edwards Claire Edwards Law Firm Cearley Fontenot Oats & Marino Lisa Hanchey Attorney at Law Jami Ishee Davidson Meaux
Kenny Oliver Oliver & Way LLC Christopher Ortte NeunerPate Dyan Schnaars Schnaars Law Firm LLC Geralyn Siefker The Family Justice Center Phillip Smith NeunerPate Myles Sonnier Preis PLC Dean Doherty Law Office of Dean A. Doherty, LLC
GET INVOLVED BEING INVOLVED IN PRO BONO IS A REWARDING EXPERIENCE AS YOU
I am grateful the universe used fellow lawyer Amy Allums Lee to remind GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, GAIN EXPERIENCE IN THE COURT ROOM, me that "No man is an island, no man stands alone. Each man’s joy is AND EARN CLE CREDIT. CONTACT MARILYN AT THE LBA TO GET INVOLVED. Marilyn@lafayettebar.org | 337.237.4700 x 102 joy to me, each man’s grief is my own. We need one another so I will defend, each man as my brother, each man as my friend.”
TAKE A CASE
Until next time, Karen J. King
VIEW AND ACCEPT PRO BONO CASES AT
https://www.lafayettebar.org/casebycase
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Judicial Spotlight
JUDGE THEALL
Susan L. Theall was recently elected as a Family Court Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial District serving Lafayette, Acadia and Vermilion Parishes. Judge Theall is a personable and competent practitioner who earned respect and esteem among her peers during her tenure in private practice. Judge Theall, thank you for taking the time to address us today. Congratulations on your return to the bench in the Fifteenth Judicial District Court. Are you originally from this area? I was born in Jennings, Louisiana, and have lived in Lafayette since 1967. How long did you practice law before running for judge? I was licensed on Oct. 7, 1985. Did you always specialize in family law? When I first began my practice, like many young lawyers, I had a general practice. I began practicing in family law, exclusively, in 1993. How did you choose that field? The first case I tried as a lawyer was a custody case representing a man who just wanted visitation of his young son; the mom had moved numerous times, was using drugs and attempting to hide the child from his father. At trial, the mom and her attorney were contemptuous of the father’s desire to spend time with his son and refused the Judge’s suggestion for resolution. The Judge awarded my client custody and that first case helped me realize how important family law was for parents and helped me discover that I had a real feel for family law; I slowly began to focus my practice more and more in the area of family law until it became my exclusive area of practice. What are your doing differently, if anything, this time around on the bench? I am starting court at 9:00 am and I am scheduling pre-trials prior to Rule days or Trial. I do this so that litigants and lawyers don’t have to wait while court adjourns for pre-trial conferences. What are some suggestions for litigating cases more efficiently that you would pass along to new practitioners who appear before you in Family Court? 1. Be prepared! Attorneys should complete discovery, file motions to compel if discovery is unanswered, research the law and prepare a brief (the brief helps organize your thoughts and gives an outline for trial). 2. Copy and exchange exhibits with opposing counsel and make a copy for the court. 3. Communicate with opposing counsel prior to the rule or trial in an attempt to narrow the issues and reach resolution. 4. DON’T personalize and attack opposing counsel. 5. Do not interrupt opposing counsel during trial, you will each have chance to argue your case!
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What are some common missteps you have seen non-family law practitioners make in Family Court? 1. Failing to appear in court on time and not contacting my office if a lawyer is going to be late or in another courtroom 2. Neglecting to be familiar with family law 3. Failing to return calls to my office 4. Coordinate hearing officer conferences, rule dates, and trial dates with opposing counsel as a professional courtesy Is there anything else about yourself that you would be willing to share with the members of the Bar? My nickname is “Sue Sue” and I adore my nieces and nephews and they adore me!
JUDGE PRIVAT The Honorable Scott Privat was elected to Division A of the 15th Judicial Court in November 2020. Judge Privat is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Loyola College of Law in New Orleans. He also worked for many years on the staff of former United States Senator John Breaux (and once made an involuntary appearance, unnamed, in a Rolling Stone article about social life on Capitol Hill). Before being elected to the bench, Judge Privat maintained a general practice in Crowley with his father, Kenny Privat. He also worked as both a public defender and assistant district attorney, which strongly influenced his decision to run for judge. Judge Privat is a member of the Crowley Rotary Club, is an avid outdoorsman, and is a parishioner of both St. Michael’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Crowley. He and Allison Clary Privat are the proud parents of three children aged 12, 9, and 6, nine chickens, two goats, a dog, and a cat. Judge Privat said that the majority of his typical docket involves criminal matters. When asked about practical advice he would want to give to those who appear in his court, he asked that attorneys be kind and professional and to simply make their arguments without making things personal. He also said that substantive and well written briefs are always appreciated. Judge Privat has enjoyed his time on the bench will gladly offer accommodations for parties and counsel. He will consider special fixings when requested, and is quite comfortable with legal matters being handled via Zoom or comparable programs. He is also excited to be a speaker at the Bench Bar Conference in New Orleans from August 26th through 28th.
executive director' s message More In-Person Events are Coming Your Way!
Rain, rain go away! Most of the time, I love a good rainy day. But when it interferes with our previously scheduled Moncus Park Meet Up and hampers our Bench Bar marketing efforts, it does get a bit tiresome. Rest assured, we will persevere and hope that Mother Nature cooperates. I am happy to announce that in early June we hired Katie Blanchet as our new marketing and member services coordinator. Katie is well-known in various circles in and around Lafayette and is already familiar with many of our LBA members. She has already proven to be an asset to our team, greets everyone she meets with a bright smile and tackles every task with a cheerful attitude. If you don’t already know her, or haven’t had the opportunity to meet her, be sure and drop by the office to say “Hi”. Within minutes, you will feel like you have known her for years. It feels great to be getting back on track with our events! We had a great turnout for our recent CLE, Mediation: Practical Tips from a Mediator presented by Tommy Juneau. And we were thrilled to be able to host a fabulous group of female attorneys for the annual Running in Heels CLE chaired by Roya Boustany and Vanessa Anseman. Thank you to all who participated in the Vitalant Blood Drive held at the Bar office in conjunction with Running in Heels. We know that blood donations are always in high demand so we were happy to do our part to help out. A special thanks to Stuart Breaux, membership chair, and our Bar president, Karen King, for all of their hard work in making sure that our Moncus Park Meet Up went off without a hitch. It
took a lot of planning and replanning but seeing the great turnout of our members was well worth it. Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed a preview tour of Moncus Park and fellowship with friends and colleagues. Of course, we could not have made any of it happen without the support of our sponsors, Kean Miller and NeunerPate so a huge shout out to them! Congratulations to the 2021Pam Landaiche 2022 Young Lawyers Section officers: Derek Aswell, President; Roya Boustany, President-Elect; Jami Ishee, Secretary, Kenny Hebert, Treasurer; and Carolyn Cole, Immediate Past President. I am confident they will be exceptional leaders of the YLS this year. The inaugural Let’s Talk About It round-table discussion has been planned for September 1, 2021. Committee chair Vicky Bowers and co-chair Jonathan Jarrett will be announcing the topic soon. Future topics will include Warrantless Entry in Pursuit of Misdemeanor Suspect, Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative, and Let’s Talk about Mental Health and emotional well-being: finding ease during uncertainty, self-care; the key to stress and anxiety. Please plan on joining us for these thought-provoking conversations. Bench Bar 2021 is right around the corner and I hope to see many of our members in attendance. The committee, chaired by Kenny Hebert, has put a lot of time and effort in to the planning of the event. Check out the speaker lineup and agenda at lafayettebar. org. Thank you to all of our firm and corporate sponsors for your support for this year’s conference! We could have such a fabulous event without you! The annual Tennis Tournament sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section will take place on Saturday, September 18 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Red’s. Always a popular event, this is one you don’t want to miss. Be sure to register soon to play! Contact Jessica, jessica@lafayettebar.org for event and sponsorship details. Until next time, I wish you good health, peace, and love!
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION ATTORNEY Onebane Law Firm, an established firm in Lafayette, Louisiana, is seeking a full-time attorney for their Commercial Section. 5+ years of experience in commercial litigation and experience in business transactions are required. The candidate must be capable of handling matters of substantial legal significance, have a J.D. from an accredited law school, excellent academic credentials, be admitted to practice in the State of Louisiana, and have strong research, writing and interpersonal skills. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Resumes may be forwarded to info@onebane.com.
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Access to Justice A report of the Lafayette Bar Foundation, provided by Foundation Chair George "Dave" Ernest, III.
Greetings everyone. I hope you are enjoying your hot and rainy summer. In this article I want to thank someone and tell you about the federal Civil Pro Bono Panel Pilot Program – a volunteer program that may be of interest to you. First I want to thank Judge Robert R. Summerhays, who as you know is the U. S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. On April 28, 2021 he presented a seminar for the Lafayette Bar Association and Foundation. The seminar was a hybrid one – in person and virtual. I, and on behalf of the Foundation, thank Judge Summerhays and express our gratitude for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. Judge Summerhays spoke about a pilot program for appointment of attorneys to represent prisoners in civil rights actions. That segues to the second thing I want to tell you about. Recently the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana approved a pilot program to create a Civil Pro Bono Panel. The goal of the program is to compile a panel of attorneys who are willing to undertake pro bono representation of pro se inmates in civil matters most of which are civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C § 1983 challenging the conditions of confinement or the use of force. Under the pilot program, assignments will be made only after dispositive motions have been resolved and the matter is likely to proceed to trial or settlement. If a panel member accepts the case, the court will enter an order appointing the attorney to represent the inmate. For those concerned about insurance coverage, the Lafayette Bar Foundation provides malpractice insurance for those who volunteer to take a case. While the program is frequently referred to as pro bono, that is not entirely descriptive. Some of us refer to it as “low bono” because volunteer attorneys who accept assignments under the program are eligible to receive attorney’s fees of up to $2,500. The program also provides for up to $2,500 for reimbursement of costs and expenses. The program serves several important purposes. First, it assists the court in efficiently administering its docket. As we all know, litigation goes more smoothly and efficiently when both sides are represented. Second, the program offers lawyers, young and old, the opportunity to gain federal court trial experience in general and in civil rights litigation in particular. Finally and not least, the program provides incarcerated litigants with civil counsel. The goal is to establish a panel of lawyers willing to take a case of this type when the need arises. Today only two or three attorneys have volunteered. Of course we would like to have more. If you are interested, visit https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/civil-pro-bonopanel to find out more about the program. If you desire to join the panel – and I hope you do – please contact Marilyn Lopez, the Lafayette Bar Foundation’s Director of Pro Bono Services at 337-2374700.
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Congratulations to Gibson Law Partners’ very own, Jim Gibson, who was recently selected to be a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The Academy was founded in 1954 and limits Fellowship to 500 trial lawyers in the United States. Fellows have undergone a rigorous vetting process and are recognized as having achieved a career of excellence as demonstrated by their skills in trial, integrity and professionalism. It is truly an honor to be named a Fellow with this prestigious organization.
YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION
AN UPDATE FROM PRESIDENT
DEREK ASWELL
As I begin my tenure as President of the Young Lawyers Section, I reflect with pride over the difficulties we overcame as an organization last year. We continued to provide our service to the community despite the challenges of a global pandemic. Our section relied on our member’s ingenuity, hard work, and fellowship to still be a positive force in our community. This year, YLS is hopeful that we will continue our push for normalcy while continuing to adapt to forces beyond our control. Thanks to the leadership of our outgoing President, Carolyn Cole, we continue this year with an active, engaged membership of young lawyers who have risen to the challenge of fulfilling the mission of our section in innovative ways. Throughout the year, we have slowly returned to holding socials, CLEs, service projects, and other programs that are the lifeblood of this organization. For example, the YLS held several outdoor events starting with a tennis tournament at Red’s and successfully hosted two golf tournaments last October and March at The Wetlands Golf Course with fantastic attendance. The YLS also raised $4,000 for the Holiday of Hope Program for the Family Tree, helping 18 children and contributed to an accessible playground at Parc Sans Souci in Downtown Lafayette.
We look to the future with the installation of our 2021-2022 officers. Unfortunately, our installation which was scheduled for July 29th was canceled. However, we hope to honor our new officers with a celebration later in the year. The officers look forward to their year of service for the Young Lawyers Section. One of the best ways for young lawyers to learn and network is by attending the annual Bench Bar conference. This year, Bench Bar will be held at the Windsor Court in New Orleans, from August 26-28. Bench Bar is always an incredible opportunity to speak with judges and lawyers in a friendly, laid-back setting. The YLS will again be sponsoring one of our many deserving members to attend Bench Bar. As President of this awesome organization, it is my mission this year to expand our membership beyond Lafayette. As the center of Acadiana, I feel strongly that YLS can offer so much to potential members beyond our city limits. If you are interested in learning more about the Young Lawyers Section or joining one of our committees, please join us for lunch at one of our monthly board meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month at noon at the LBA office. It is an honor to be appointed the YLS President and to understand the responsibilities that go along with this position. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of service moving forward.
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Family Law Section News PRESIDENT DYAN SCHNAARS INCOMING PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
As we enjoy the last lazy days of summer, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of our Section offerings in August. Our August Section Meeting Luncheon and CLE was held on August 9 at the Bar Office. We hope that you all came out to meet your new 2021-22 Executive Committee. Additionally, we will round up the month of August with the Bench Bar Conference on August 26-28 in New Orleans. Log on now to LBA’s website and register for Bench Bar today before you miss out! We look forward to seeing you there! As President this year, a goal close to my heart is improving consistent professionalism among our ranks. I’ll start by opening the discussion in this column. PROFESSIONALISM – A word we are all familiar with. We are required to dedicate an hour of time to it each year (arguably, it should be more). As succinctly stated by Neil Hamilton in his article Professionalism Clearly Defined, ethics rules are what a lawyer must obey. Principles of professionalism are what a lawyer should live by in conducting his or her affairs. Unlike disciplinary rules that can be implemented and enforced, professionalism is a personal characteristic.
It may be difficult for us to pin down a concise definition of what professionalism is but we can certainly recognize what it is not. Interrupting, screaming, cursing and personal attacks are unlikely to be commended as professional behavior by any of us. Why is professionalism important? As Neil also points out, professionalism is the bridge from self-interest to a calling. When your practice is a calling, your livelihood acquires meaning by serving the public purpose of justice which is central to a highly interdependent society. Practically speaking, if we are tired of the lawyer jokes, we must strive to earn the respect of our peers and the public we serve. A great start is to practice personal professionalism daily. Examine yourself to determine if you are conducting your life in a manner than commands the respect of your peers. Thereafter, we must intentionally extend respectable behavior to our peers (whether we like them or not). Our jobs as mediators of our client’s most personal and emotional conflicts requires us to learn to control ourselves to prevent adding to the conflict, rather than being an advocate for swift and amicable resolution (this is what is in the children’s best interest) I know I have some work to do in this area. I promise to do better, and I invite you to join me. In the meantime, if you have additional recommendations or insight on ways we can challenge our members to conscientiously strive to improve our own personal professionalism and the way we practice with our peers, or ways to improve the reputation of our profession, I want to hear it. You can email me at dyans@schnaarslaw.com.
CRIMINAL LAW SECTION AN UPDATE FROM PRESIDENT LAUREN HUE
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our quarterly meeting on July 14th. A special thanks to Judge Colbert and his staff for the CLE presentation on Evidence. Our next meeting with be September 22, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. with a CLE to follow. Speaker and presentation TBD. Section membership is open to any current LBA member. Annual dues are $25 in addition to your LBA membership dues. To learn more about the section, I encourage you to contact one of the officers or the LBA staff.
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Downtown law office suites for rent (lawyer and secretarial offices). Amenities included receptionist, reception area, conference rooms, use of copy/ fax, janitorial, phone system, server, Westlaw access, high speed internet, parking, legal library, and kitchenette. 109 Stewart Street, Lafayette. Call Al or Bill at (337) 237-5777.
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MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION OF COMPLEX DISPUTES
BATON ROUGE | NEW ORLEANS | LAFAYETTE | SHREVEPORT | MONROE p: 866.367.8620
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RETURNING BACK TO NORMAL
By: Edward Barousse
Incrementally, and cautiously, the world is opening back up after the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes have picked up pace both within our profession and our community. In our local legal community, though normal protocols have not fully returned, court activity has increased. When we all had to acquaint ourselves with the “new normal” almost a year and a half ago, many attorneys wondered about both the practicality and impact of Zoom and other videoconferencing programs. Though none of our local attorneys have appeared on-screen as a cat (at least, I’m not aware of any), several judges have remarked that such programs allowed dockets to move forward, disputes to be resolved, and lawsuits to be settled effectively. Zoom and other programs served as a necessary bridge for courts to return to somewhat normal business. We are now crossing that bridge. As of April 1, 2021, the Louisiana Supreme Court has allowed local judicial districts the discretion to resume jury trials and attendant motion practice. Perhaps some of you have participated in bench trials in recent months. In federal court, more motions are still being set for hearing without oral argument, though some hearings and magistrate settlement conferences are being conducted at the courthouse. According to the Western District of Louisiana website, a number of criminal matters are still being conducted via teleconferencing due to public health concerns. And, of course, the world is opening back up. We’ve all missed something different in the past
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year and a half, but most of those activities involve socialization. Within our legal community, the Lafayette Bar Association has been able to hold various events, and our local chapter of the Federal Bar Association will host a social in early August. Working downtown, restaurants and venues are attracting brisk foot traffic. And, this is Lafayette, after all. I’ve seen numerous people greet and hug each other after not being able to do so for a very long time. Nationally, air traffic has rebounded and numerous events (including concerts and music festivals, which I have missed acutely) are being scheduled for the fall. There can be no doubt that UL, LSU, and Saints tailgates will be particularly raucous this fall. What lessons can we can take away from all of this? Everyone likely has different thoughts. I do recall that last spring I had never seen so many families spending time together outdoors. Our neighborhood was a constant procession of family bike rides and outdoor sports. A number of friends took care of impressive home improvement projects that they had put off for years. And, as busy adults, perhaps all of this provided a nudge to check in with a friend or family member when we had not done so, despite the best of intentions. As the world opens back up, I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for activities and interactions I may have previously taken for granted. I doubt I'm alone.
TOP 10 Ten Silver Linings of the COVID-19 Pandemic 1. ACCESSIBILITY
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of everyone’s day-to-day comings and goings. However, the pandemic brought about a wave of innovation and technological advances that provided access to various resources from the comfort of our own homes. From virtual education to telehealth doctors’ appointments, many were afforded the safe continuity of some of the most vital functions of our communities.
2. ADAPTABILITY
The pandemic also revealed our community’s incredible ability to adapt in the face of adversity. While social distancing, masking, and the temporary transition to a largely virtual society came with frustrations, the resilience of our essential workers, including educators and healthcare providers, was an inspiration to all of us during the pandemic.
3. CONNECTION
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people struggled with feelings of isolation while trying to maintain safety and social distancing. However, one positive to stem from the pandemic was the various ways in which we all were able stay connected. Whether it was via social media, video chatting, or other means of digital communication, many people were able to regularly keep in touch with friends, family members, and loved ones throughout the pandemic.
4. CREATIVITY
The pandemic forced many of us to take a break from our daily routines as we quarantined at home. During this time, numerous people found themselves tapping into their creative sides by picking up hobbies (old or new), attempting DIY projects, and coming up with creative ways to keep themselves and their children entertained while staying home.
5. EMPATHY
Another silver lining of living through a global pandemic was seeing the amount of empathy we quickly developed for each other. The pandemic brought about a sense of camaraderie, and afforded us new opportunities to show each other grace as we navigated the unknowns.
6. ENTERTAINMENT
Lots of us missed the feelings of being engulfed in the experience of the cinema, listening to our favorite bands play live concerts, and attending the various festivals Acadiana has to offer. However, for those of us who are a little more introverted, the convenience of enjoying new release movies, television, live music, and the like from home was a welcomed change to entertainment.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
It is undeniable that our beloved planet Earth got a much needed break from the harmful impacts of pollution as we rode out the pandemic from our homes. The decrease in traffic and other factors which contribute to air pollution was a literal “breath of fresh air.”
8. FLEXIBILITY
Another positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic was the amount of flexibility we were all able to enjoy. Whether it was working from home or simply more relaxed dress codes at work, the pandemic brought about a refreshing sense of flexibility to many people.
9. GRATITUDE
We did not realize how much we took for granted until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Things as simple as hugging an elderly parent or grandparent, eating at a restaurant, or spending time with friends became precious moments that we both longed and were grateful for.
10. HYGIENE
Perhaps one of the best outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic came from the comfort of knowing that those around us were putting better hygienic habits into practice on a regular basis. We should not have had to been told to wash our hands, but what a relief it was to know that more people were doing it!
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THE LBA MEDIATION CENTER
The Lafayette Bar Association invites you to take advantage of our meeting facilities. The Lafayette Bar Mediation Center was strategically designed to meet and exceed myriad dispute resolution and presentation needs. It is the premier venue for mediations, depositions, and meetings in the area.
Amenities of the Mediation Center: 1. Comfortable Furnishing & Efficient Layouts 2. Refreshments & Snacks 3. Optional Lunch Service 4. Fast, Secure Wifi Connection by LUS Fiber 5. A/V Equipment 6. Video Conferencing Equipped with 42inch Flat Screen TV
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OFF THE
BEATEN PATH
AN INTERVIEW WITH Britney Hebert BY DANIEL PHILLIPS An event in this month’s Olympics is equestrian riding. LBA member Britney Hebert at the Glenn Armentor Law Corporation is an accomplished equestrian rider. We spoke with Britney to learn more about her love of “horsing around,” as she calls it:
cently I have enjoyed “fox chasing” (we don’t harm the fox). It is very thrilling ...galloping with hounds in the wilderness with your horse-obsessed buddies. What type of riding do you do? My style is commonly called “English riding,” “jumping,” or “equestrian.” I am technically a hunter/jumper, which is like Olympic Show-jumping. I compete in “Hunter” classes, which originate from fox hunting. Hunters are judged for their beauty, accuracy and smoothness over fences. It requires traditional dress code and tack. How did you start? One of my first memories was when my Parrain put a pony under the Christmas tree in the house to surprise me! In school, I competed in 4-H and American Quarter Horse Association Shows. I took a break during college and law school (read: too broke to ride), but after that, I got back to horses. It is a lifelong love ... or an obsession. Do you own a horse? I have a very special and unique horse named Alfie (Show name: Amanda’s Leopard Folly). He is a 17 hand Warmblood Appaloosa with a huge personality. Most horses in Hunter competitions are “bay” (dark brown with black legs), but Alfie’s coloration is quite the opposite. He resides at Cambridge Stables in Maurice. What shows do you do? United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) shows and Gulf Coast Hunter Jumper Association shows. I also occasionally show in the local Hub City Hunter Jumper Association. Alfie and I are in the “Adult Amateur” division, jumping 3-foot-high fences against other adults. We won our division a few times, but we really show because it’s fun! I also love Hunter Derbies, which are more difficult courses with a more formal format. Re-
What are your three favorite things about riding? The rush of that perfect round; The connection with an amazing animal that is highly in tune to our emotions; The way that stress fades away when I’m at the barn. How do you balance riding with your legal career? It can be hard, but when you love something, you make time. Luckily, I have some flexibility with my work schedule and my trainer (Trish Rabalais) lets me move lessons around my schedule. Has riding benefited your career? It’s my escape. Also, the show ring helps in the courtroom. Being judged while steering a 1,400-pound animal over a huge oxer (double fence) at the perfect distance, while trying to remember the course, makes the courtroom less stressful. Any advice for anyone interested in riding? Take a lesson from Trish Rabalais at Cambridge Stables and see if you love it. She offers affordable lessons for ALL levels of riders. And talk with me! I LOVE talking anything equine.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS with Claire Edwards
Claire Edwards interview with Brooke Kobetz- Part II of II: EATING, DRINKING, AND MEDITATION Is it ok to drink alcohol regularly? Will it affect my health in the long run? The healthiest option would be to not drink at all, but we live in south Louisiana and many of our social functions and activities revolve around alcohol. If you do choose to drink, drink in moderation. Regular alcohol use isn’t advised. Drinking over 1 drink daily for women, and over 2 for men can increase risk of cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression/anxiety, and liver disease. It also can inhibit exercise performance and recovery. I’ve written multiple in-depth articles on the latter. What about diet? I eat out frequently- are there any particularly healthy options to eat out in terms of restaurant selection or in terms of dish selection? Ochsner has an app called “Eat Fit” that can help you navigate healthy options at local restaurants around the area. Lots of restaurants now have calorie counts on their menus or heart healthy options. When in doubt choose lean meats or fish: chicken sirloin, salmon, with a non-starchy vegetable (broccoli, salad) on the side, and/or a fiber rich carbohydrate (brown rice, quinoa, whole grain bread). Want to treat yourself? You can always order whatever you are craving, and ask for a to go box. Immediately portion out half the meal for later to avoid over indulging and cut half the calories. Ordering water instead of soda or alcohol can save tons of calories. Think of it this way a
glass of wine is 160 calories. Two glasses add a whopping 320 calories without any real nutritious value (these are empty calories). You can always ask to hold the butter, stay away from cream based sauces, and ask for dressing on the side. Beware of ordering salads, many places have salads that are 1000+ calories. Most of the time, this is because they slather them in heavy dressing, put them in a high calorie tortilla shell, or add copious amounts of cheese. Ask for an oil based dressing (vinaigrette, balsamic, etc) on the side. Hold the cheese and/or fried toppings/shells. I have a hard time cooking at home but I like to snack during the day- what are some important staples you recommend keeping that are easy to store and eat? Hummus and veggies, almonds, fruit (dried or fresh), yogurt (check for added sugars), protein bars (check for added sugars), avocado, kale chips, celery sticks with cream cheese, peanut butter and apple, bell pepper and guacamole, cherry tomatoes, whey protein shakes, and string cheese. I hear so much about meditation and mental health- Is this really useful? I’m not an expert in mental health, but research shows that meditation can be a great mechanism to cope with stress and reduce depression and anxiety. To bring this around to nutrition, we know that stress and/or depression can negatively affect digestion through the gut brain connection. Stress can also weaken the immune system and also contribute to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Brooke’s credentials and contact information is as follows: Brooke Kobetz RDN, LDN | Kobetznutrition@gmail.com
THE GRAPEVINE If you have any significant life events you'd like your fellow Lafayette Bar Association members to know about, such as births, promotions, new hires, deaths, etc., please email katie@lafayettebar.org. We'd love to spotlight you and/or your friends, family, and colleagues in our section, "The Grapevine."
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REAL WOMEN. REAL ISSUES. REALLY HIGH HEELS. The 2021 Running in Heels Women's Issues CLE was held on Friday, July 16th at the LBA office. Running in Heels is an annual CLE hosted by the Lafayette Bar Association in which Women's Issues are the subject of all seminars. The CLE is geared towards women and will address the unique issues women face in the legal profession. This is a great opportunity to network with professional women and learn skills to improve the quality of life of women in the legal workplace. We had a wonderful time with all of our attendees. We look forward to continuing on this lovely event.
Thank you to our sponsors! Justice Medical Funding - Mimosa Bar Kean Miller, LLC - Breakfast Hubbell Dermatology - Lunch Liskow & Lewis - Door Prizes
Take a Guess!
Answers on page 17
Who won the fourth Super Bowl?
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Which popular candy bar is named after the maker's favorite horse?
On Wednesday, July 21, 2021 we enjoyed our member social aka our Moncus Park Meet Up. Our members joined us from 5:30-7:30 P.M. at Moncus Park for light appetizers and refreshments. We were also given an exclusive golf cart tour of the new and improved Moncus Park, before its grand opening. The rain and COVID took a step back for a minute and allowed us to spend some quality time with our friends, family, and colleagues at our first member social in quite some time. We were overjoyed with the turnout, and we thank you all for coming and showing your support of the LBA. We are so happy and thankful we got to see everyone's smiling faces after being a part for so long.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE?
THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR KEAN MILLER, LLP AND TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR NEUNERPATE
Kansas City Chiefs | Snickers
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Lafayette bar association bench bar conference
AUGUST 26-28, 2021
Windsor Court Hotel | New Orleans, lA
conference registration Registration includes all Bench Bar events for you and your registered spouse/guest. Hotel reservation, parking, room service, and other incidentals are not included. After Monday, July 26, 2021 registration may be transferred to a colleague, but not cancelled or refunded. Please note that you are responsible for making your own hotel accommodations. Reservations may be made online through the Windsor Court Hotel. A sheet with instructions to reserve your room(s) at the Windsor Court Hotel within the Lafayette Bar Association room block is attached.
Please Select Your Conference Registration Type: LBA Member Registration - $525
Non-Member Registration - $675
This registration is reserved for current LBA Members who are considered Member Type: Private Practice
This registration is available for non-members and will include a 2021 LBA Membership.
Young Lawyer 6-10 years - $475
Government / Public Service - $475
This registration is reserved for LBA Members who have been practicing more than five years but less than ten years.
This registration is reserved for current LBA Members who are considered Member Type: Government / Public Service
Young Lawyer 5 years or less - $400
Spouse or Guest Registration - $300
This registration is reserved for LBA Members who have only been practicing less than five years.
If you will be accompanied by a spouse or guest who will be attending the conference and any social events, please check this box.
Name
Firm Email
Phone
Bar #
Spouse or Guest’s Name Please List Any Dietary Restrictions Please remit all payments and registration forms to
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Lafayette Bar Association Attn: Events Coordinator 2607 Johnston Street | Lafayette, LA 70503 P: (337) 237-4700 x 103 | F: (337) 237-0970 | events@lafayettebar.org
For LBA Office Staff Use ONLY: Total: $ ______________ Payment Type: __________________ Date Received: __________________
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