Acadiana Profile April-May 2016

kitchens & baths

top lawyers

6 stylish spaces P. 20

Our annual list + 2 tough cases P. 57

listE n

C AtChisTS ATCH To

page 48

The Bluerunners (from left): Adrian Huval, Jason Harrington, Frank Kincel, Mark Meaux and Cal Stevenson

acadianaprofile.com

| 3

Zydeco accordion player Rusty Metoyer infuses funk, R&B and country music into his repertoire.

contents A little extra Editor’s note Nouvelles de villes Newsbriefs Le visiter Calendar lagniappe

NOTE DE L’EDITEUR

home+style 15 À la mode

Festival Fashions

pour la maison Terrariums la maison

Kitchens & Baths

food+drink 33 Sushi Frozen Treats recettes de cocktails Moss Locks sur le menu

de la cuisine

culture 83 personnes Bayou Rum’s Trey Litel la musique Festival Internationale les artistes Ginger Kelly en francais

Napoléon et le Code civil

features texas travel 43

Festivals in the Lone Star state

by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

music in acadiana 48 6 bands to check out

by michael patrick welch

top lawyers 57 Our annual list of 414 lawyers in 46 categories, plus two attorneys share their toughest cases.

4 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

lagniappe

learn french têtu /te.ty/ adj. stubborn

What are you looking forward to this spring?

example: L’un de mes étudiants est aussi têtu qu’une mule. translation: One of my students is as stubborn as a mule.

april/may 2016 vol. 35 | № 2

Editor in Chief

Managing Editor

Associate Editor

Art Director

Lead Photographer Having missed it last year, I’m Web Editor looking forward going Editorial Intern to finally to Festival International.

A friend from Sales Manager Lafayette says

it’s the best fest in the state.

Getting in the dirt and gardening!

Errol Laborde Sarah Ravits Sarah George

Lafayette has a series of bike trails called the “Atakapa-Ishak Trail” that connect downtown areas along the bayous Vermilion and Teche. But who are the Atakapa-Ishak that these trails are named after?

Danley Romero Kelly Massicot Starlight Williams Rebecca Taylor (337) 298-4424 (337) 235-7919 Ext. 230

Rebecca@acadianaprofile.com

Sales Intern

Ryan MacKowiak

Linzee LeJeune

Traffic Coordinator

Distribution Manager

Jessica DeBold John Holzer

Director of Marketing & Events Cheryl Lemoine

Event Coordinator Margaret Strahan

Administrative Assistant

Subscription Manager

Production/Web Manager Senior Production Designer

Denise Dean Sara Kelemencky

Subscriptions Mallary Matherne

did you know?

Melanie Warner Spencer

Staci McCarty Ali Sullivan

Production Designer Monique DiPietro

Chief Executive Officer

President

Alan Campell

Executive Vice President

Errol Laborde

Vice President of Sales

Todd Matherne

I can’t wait to ride my bike to brunch.

The Atakapan people are a Southeastern culture of Native American tribes who lived along the Gulf of Mexico. Though they call themselves Ishak (“the people”), Atakapa originates from a Choctaw word meaning “man-eaters.” According to Choctaw stories, the Atakapas practiced cannibalism on defeated enemies. However, nobody knows for sure if these were true stories or just legends. No proof of Atakapa cannibalism has been found, and the Europeans who met the Atakapas did not witness this behavior themselves.

Many of our towns and waterways have been named after Atakapan-Ishak individuals or words.

For example, the town of Mermentau is a distorted form of the chief Nementou. Plaquemine is derived from the Atakapa word pikamin, meaning “persimmon.” Bayou Nezpiqué was named for an Atakapan who had a tattooed nose. Bayou Queue de Tortue was believed to have been named for Chief Celestine La Tortue of the Atakapas nation.

The name Calcasieu is a French transliteration of an katkosh for “eagle” and yok “to cry.”

Colleen Monaghan

behind the scenes Like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/AcadianaProfile) and follow us on Twitter (@acadianaprofile) for daily updates, happenings in the area and other news!

Please consider our planet and recycle this (and every) magazine.

Renaissance Publishing LLC • 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123 • Metairie, LA 70005 • (504) 828-1380 • (877) 221-3512 128 Demanade, Suite 104 • Lafayette, LA 70503 • (337) 235-7919 ext. 230 Acadiana Profile (ISSN 0001-4397) is published bimonthly by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 and 128 Demanade, Suite 104, Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 235-7919 ext. 230. Subscription rate: One year $10; Foreign Subscriptions vary. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA, and additional mailing entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Acadiana Profile, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2016 Renaissance Publishing LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark Acadiana Profile is registered. Acadiana Profile is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in Acadiana Profile are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or owner.

6 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Lead photographer Danley Romero with Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers. The weather wasn’t cooperating for an outdoor shoot, so Huval called The Barn at Eunice’s Lakeview Park & Beach Resort – a venue that’s famous for hosting some of the area’s hottest bands. More info at lvpark.com.

note de l’editeur

singing praise We celebrate music and more in this new issue.

We’ve got festivals and music on

our minds – and a bit of wanderlust, to boot. In this issue, our music writer Michael Patrick Welch found some of Louisiana’s hottest bands who have ties to the Acadiana region, whether it’s through their musicial style or upcoming performance dates in the area. We are also excited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Festival International, a world-class event in Lafayette that celebrates its Cajun heritage as well as the international influences that make the area so special.

We get pretty social this time of year, so if you’re planning on hosting a gathering to welcome your friends and family, treat them to a rum-based punch recipe on pg. 40 – or perhaps make some of the cool, refreshing desserts that Marcelle Bienvenu offers on pg. 76.

Speaking of rum, we also have a story on Bayou Rum’s creator, the energetic and affable Trey Litel, by Will Kalec on pg. 84.

We also sent our food writer, Jyl Benson, on a mission to discover some wonderful sushi spots in the area – another testament to the international flavor of the region (pg.

34). Finally, we present our annual list of Top Lawyers in the region, along with two personal stories about the importance of being on the winning side of justice.

Sarah Ravits Managing Editor

8 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

acadianaprofile.com

| 9

nouvelles de villes

by lisa leblanc-berry

Pirates, a Beer Garden and Blue Dog Lake Charles

Boats Afloat Vermilionville

The 5th annual Bayou Vermilion Festival and Boat Parade has been moved up to May 15, 2016 from its traditional October slot according to Vermilionville’s Director of Communications, Erin Segura. “We’re expanding considerably,” she explains of their myriad events. The free festival kicks off at 10 am at Vermilionville, featuring such activities as face painting, film viewings, cooking demos and a homemade recycled materials paddle craft race in the pond prior to the 2 pm boat parade. A diversity of 300 colorful boats departs from Vermilionville, traveling down the river to the Camellia Bridge Launch for an after party held at 4 pm featuring live zydeco music, local ale and food.

People are encouraged to decorate their vessels; costumes are equally welcome (bayouvermiliondistrict.org/ boat parade).

Pouvezvous lire le Français? arnaudville

Inventor Youngsville

If you’ve ever had trouble changing those tricky ceiling AC filters, Wade Bergeron of Youngsville is your new hero.

He has invented the Reachable Ceiling Vents, which attach to a decorative frame with magnets.

There’s a hole in the center, so that a mop or a paint stick can easily screw into it. His product is now available nationwide at Ace Hardware, Stein’s, Acme and online at Sears, Walmart and Amazon. Ladders begone!

Icon Resurrected

Sure, you can understand it. But do you need help reading French? NuNu Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville debuts its first series of French reading classes through April 14; $15 per class. To register via email: education@ nunucollective.org.

Fore!

lafayette

Abbeville

Jenny LeBlanc and Bryan Rush have finally reopened River Front a Louisiana Grill at a new location, 530 Park Avenue overlooking the Vermilion River, three-and-a-half years after a fire completely destroyed Abbeville’s most elegant dining venue downtown. Locals are thrilled with the new location, expanded menu and handsome lodgelike setting, which now includes a charming screen porch affording a splendid river view, a romantic bar with dining tables and a fireplace, and a wood-burning oven. “It’s a dream come true,” said LeBlanc.

10 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Rainy day? Treat yourself to Lafayette’s new indoor virtual golf facility. X Golf is the first of its kind in the South, and the third to open nationwide. It has 90 different virtual PGA golf courses, located at 104 E. Kaliste Saloom Road (previously Antoinette’s Bridal).

If you’re headed to Lake Charles for the annual Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival (April 26May 8) that attracts pirates of all ages for costume contests, carnival rides, regional food, live music and spectacular fireworks (louisianapiratefestival.com), check out a few happening local spots. The new Crying Eagle Brewing Company, located at 1165 E. McNeese, features indoor and outdoor stages, a tasting room and a lively beer garden. Like to fish?

Enjoy smooth margaritas and Tex-Mex eats at the new Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp located at 723 Ryan Street (formerly Fat Cat Café, next door to Luna). Insider tip: Bring in your freshly caught fish from the lake (charters abound), and the chefs will cook it for you! Lafayette’s famous Blue Dog Café, which recently opened a second location in Lake Charles on the heels of 7-year-old Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro closing (owned by Stephen Santillo and sons of the late George Rodrigue), is just down the street from Tia Juanita’s at 609 Ryan St. Their delicious crawfish enchiladas with a smooth cumin Mornay sauce and a luscious crawfish bisque accented with spicy crawfish boulettes are enticing nibbles for peak crawdad season. In nearby Lacassine, visit the 36,000 square-foot Bayou Rum Distillery, which was recently honored with a 2016 Louey Award as the Attraction of the Year from the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association. Belly up to the handsome tasting bar with cathedral-height ceilings in the 109-year-old farmhouse that’s situated beyond a gallery showcasing the state’s history as a sugar cane producer.

Worth the 20-minute drive.

The mixologists are tops; great gift shop, too.

Chef drake leonards

Bayou vermilion festival photo by lucius fontenot; reachable ceiling vents courtsy product launchers; chef drake leonards photo courtesy lÜke restaurant

Native Sons Two Acadiana boys are our rising stars in 2016. While Bravo Top Chef Isaac Toups, “born and braised” in Rayne and the owner of Toup’s Meatery in New Orleans, was basking in the limelight after becoming a James Beard semifinalist for 2016 Best Chef: South (winners are announced at the May gala in Chicago), Eunice native Drake Leonards, Chef-de-cusine of John Besh’s Lüke in New Orleans, was busy teaming up with acclaimed James Beard award-winning Miami Chef Michelle Bernstein to orchestrate their dazzling $1,000 per person dinner to benefit the non-profit John Besh Foundation for Fetes des Chefs, the snazzy annual spring event that brings celebrity chefs from around the country to cook elaborate dinners together. Remember the Caribbean Room (and Mile High Pie)? Chef Besh said he is busy resurrecting the historic restaurant in the Pontchartrain Hotel this summer, on the heels of opening Pigeon and Prince, an events venue, in the former four-story Le Foret, just a short walk from his flagship Restaurant August.

Tip: Rumors of cooking classes are in the works, so stay tuned.

Amen, Acadiana lafayette

The Diocese of Lafayette, which serves nearly 300,000 Catholics in 121 parishes, has announced its new, and seventh, bishop. Appointed

by Pope Francis, the 64-yearold Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel is being consecrated with the Mass of Reception and Installation on April 27. A native of Basile, he was formerly the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, his home since 1972.

acadianaprofile.com

| 11

calendar

by judi russell

around acadiana Gatherings and activities around Acadiana. april 1-2. Parks Cracklin Cookoff.

Cecile Rousseau Poche Memorial Park, Parks. (337) 288-3509.

1-3. Monster Jam.

Cajundome, Lafayette. (866) 248-8740, Ext. 31427.

1-3. Scott Boudin Festival.

Lions Club Road, Scott.

Scottboudinfestival.com 2. Top of the Teche Tour du Teche 135. Leonville to Arnaudville. tourduteche.com 8-10. Cajun Hot Sauce

Festival. SugArena, New Iberia. (337) 365-7539.

9. Creole Zydeco Festival.

Evangeline Oak Park, St. Martinville.

11-17. Semaine Francaise d’Arnaudville and Baton Rouge. Various locations, Baton Rouge and Arnaudville.

(337) 453-3307.

15-16. Original DownTown

Lake Charles Crawfish Festival. Downtown Lake Charles. (337) 310-0083.

16-17. Louisiana Hot Sauce

Expo. Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette. lahotsaucefest.com 20-24. Festival International

de Louisiane. Downtown Lafayette. LafayetteTravel.com 22-24. 31st Annual Etouffee

Festival. St. John Francis Regis Church, Arnaudville.

(337) 754-5912.

23. Grillin in the Park. New

Iberia City Park, New Iberia.

(337) 365-5651.

23-24. 14th Annual Cajun

Woodstock. Church Point City Park, Church Point. (337) 280-8710.

12 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

may 6-7. Relay for Life of Iberia

Parish. Weeks Park, New Iberia. (337) 519-1978.

6-8. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. 1300 Rees St., Breaux Bridge. (337) 332-6655.

7. 20th Annual Celebration of

Herbs & Gardens. Old Sunset High School Grounds, Sunset.

(337) 662-3542.

11-14. 44th Frog Festival.

Gossen Memorial Park, Rayne.

(337) 783-2108.

14. Q-ing on the Bayou – Boat Poker Run. Delcambre Boat Docks. (337) 298-4510.

19-21. Crusin Cajun Country

Cruise In. Bouligny Plaza, New Iberia. (337) 367-1631.

20-21. Okra Festival. Festival Grounds on Bayou Teche, 203 N. Market St., St. Martinville.

(337) 394-2230.

21. Armed Forces Day

Ceremony. Bouligny Plaza, New Iberia. (337) 344-9397.

May 26-June 5. Cajun

Heartland State Fair.

Cajundome, Lafayette. (337) 265-2100.

28-29. 2nd Annual American

Legion Riders Freedom Fest. Lake Palourde Judges Stand, Morgan City. alrfreedomfest.com 30. Memorial Day Ceremony.

Bouligny Plaza, New Iberia.

(337) 344-9397.

acadianaprofile.com

| 13

Bring an element of the outdoors to your favorite indoor space with a lush terrarium. Consider making it yourself – whether your style is elegant or whimsical (or a blend of both).

style+home Ă la mode 16 Festival fashions

by claire salinas

pour la maison 18 Terrariums

by s.e. george

la maison 20

Inspired kitchens and baths around the region by lisa leblanc-berry

style+home À DEla LAmode CUISINE

fest favorites What to wear when you’re out and about this season by claire salinas photo romero & Romero model autumn treme

Pull the Tassels vest. 7 Chics.

Astars multi-colored romper. Vertage Clothing.

Level Street Fringe Purse. Amor.

Silver Santa Fe cuff w/turquoise stone. Jewelie’s Gold wristlet. JuJu’s.

Blue teardrop geode bracelet. Maven Womensware.

Square goddess bracelet. Jewelie’s Black pendant bracelet. Juju’s.

7 Chics. 201 Settlers Trace, Suite 2019, Lafayette, (337) 704-2632 Amor Boutique. 500 Settlers Trace Blvd, Suite 4.

Lafayette, (337) 456-1932 Jewelie’s Boutique. 407 Rena Drive, Lafayette.

(337) 984-8009 JuJu’s Boutique. 101 Settlers Trace Blvd.,Suite 1008, Lafayette.

(337) 406-9300 Maven Womenswear. 201 Settlers Trace, Suite 2021, Lafayette, (337) 704-2668 Vertage Clothing, 201 Settlers Trace Blvd, Suite 3009, Lafayette, (337) 991-9980

16 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

A medium-sized fringe clutch is the perfect way to store your festival necessities and concert tickets.

style+home pour la maison

glass houses Bring the outdoors inside with DIY terrariums. by s. E. george | photo romero & romero

Consider what kind of environment you want to create.

Humid environments work best with a lid. For a dry environment, a lid is optional. If you find a container that you like, but it lacks a lid, you can make one out of a piece of corkboard (left). container:

Succulents like dry, sunny environments.

Be careful not to overwater.

Check out: Hobby Town USA hobbytown.com All Seasons Nursery buyallseasons.com Native Sun Nursery nativesunnursery.com Greengate Garden Center ggate.com

Terrariums can breathe

life into any room – literally.

Not only are they aesthically pleasing, but they have health benefits, too: Studies have shown that indoor plants can improve cognitive function, help fight colds, and reduce stress. Plus, setting up your own gets your creative juices flowing and is a calming but productive activity. accents:

Use your imagination and invent a world with HO figures and animals.

Check out Hobby Town in Lafayette or any shop that sells model train accessories.

soil: Do your research and make sure that the soil is appropriate for the plant.

For moss, use a peat moss mixture, which is less likely to mold. For succulents, blend potting soil, sand and perlite.

Charcoal:

cleans excess water

Gravel:

improves drainage

Give air plants bright, indirect sunlight and water at least 2 times per week by immersing the whole plant in water. acadianaprofile.com

| 19

style+home la DE LA maison CUISINE

It all starts with a dream. From a palatial

lakefront mansion to a country equestrian estate, a new beach-inspired dream home and a charming renovated Victorian, these highly personalized kitchen and bath designs can serve to inspire a range of spring remodeling projects.

inspired kitchens & baths Motivate yourself to refresh your home with a diversity of six designs by lisa leblanc-berry | photos by chad chenier

Instead of taking long drives to restaurants from Plaucheville, gifted chef Eve Quirk and her husband, Troy, enjoy cozy date night suppers relaxing in their luxurious navy velvet banquette, beneath shimmering navy crystals.

Cheryl Scurlock of Decorating Den Interiors designed the Quirk’s sleek new kitchen. She began the expansion by removing a wall to create a larger space for a kitchen that opens onto a dining area.

The new oversized island accommodates six counter stools customized with Swarovski crystal accents.

While the new layout of cabinets and placement of Thermador professional appliances provide improved functionality, drama was created with the Benjamin Moore Old Navy color palette, complemented by Carrara quartz countertops, marble arabesque backsplash tiles and a pair of chrome and crystal chandeliers.

acadianaprofile.com

| 21

Ken Delavergne’s architectural vision was the genesis of this spacious custom kitchen and elegant keeping room in the Carencro home of Carl and Jenny Comeaux. He removed multiple walls, opening up the kitchen, dining and living rooms with sliding glass doors for views of the surrounding ponds, pool, orchards, horses and trails.

The kitchen floors of antique brick reflect the home’s exterior, while the ceiling’s antique cypress beams mirror the floor beams. A custom rounded hood with handcarved scrolls tops a handmade Italian tile backsplash above a six-burner Wolfe stove and grill.

Simple elegance was Jenny’s objective for the kitchen. She selected chandeliers encased within spheres of rustic distressed wood from Paul Michael Company, leathered granite counter tops and custom cabinets

by Keith Hall.

22 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

acadianaprofile.com

| 23

24 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

A rooster chandelier from Lafayette Electric illuminates an L-shaped island in the Lafayette kitchen of Dr. William Barrois and his wife, Brenda. She created lush gardens on display outside the keeping room.

“Ken calls this our Inglenook fireplace,” says Brenda of their cozy seating area in the keeping room surrounded by windows and a porch.

Their historic circa 1902 Victorian home needed updating, so architect Ken Delavergne considerably expanded the original kitchen, adding myriad period details true to the era. “His design was brilliant, he really nailed it,” Brenda notes. Jeff Gueno of Le Chateau Interiors orchestrated the décor. The surfaces of kitchen appliances are paneled, like the custom sinker cypress cabinets, while two Sub-Zero refrigerators are covered with art by Peggy Lagroue Derby.

acadianaprofile.com

| 25

A large branch in polished nickel adorns Brett and Stephanie Venable’s free-standing Kohler tub, framed by tiny glass mosaic tiles.

A barn door lends a rustic element to the master suite.

Inspired by the coastal feel of Alys Beach, the interior design of the Venable’s new 2,500-square-foot dream home in River Ranch is by Crissy Greene, proprietor of Elle Design & Décor.

Vessel bowls with Brizo faucets adorn cabinetry patterned with upholstery nail-head tacks (Artisan Cabinet Shop). Mirrors with whimsical sconces made of driftwood in silver leaf provide a look that’s both rustic and refined.

A master bath upgrade was created by adding a cozy alcove and raised whirlpool tub with Victorian Collection Delta Faucets, within a small space that was doubled to a length of 35 feet.

Ken Delavergne redesigned the original Barrois master bath in their historic Victorian dwelling, with antique pine flooring and added windows.

Using the sloping roof, he installed mirrored closets with sliding glass doors that conceal a convenient laundry chute. This leads to the expanded bathing area and balconette, which overlooks a pool and opulent gardens ablaze with camellias, hydrangeas and trees abundant with figs, cherries and satsumas. “I leave the balconette doors open and feel as though I’m in the tropics,� Bill says.

28 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

acadianaprofile.com

| 29

30 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Chuck Kuehn of Southern Marble and Granite created seating ledges for the oversized shower, a curved tub deck and sleek vanities with Taj Mahal quartzite in Allen Devall’s Lake Charles waterfront manse.

The 2,500-square-foot master bedroom and bath, which features a Tuscan tile mural inside the glassenclosed shower, overlooks the lake through 26-feet of seamless glass. It’s located on the second, main floor of the 13,900-squarefoot, three-story home

by Bryan Galley Builders and architect John “Ike” Capdeville. Designed with concrete and steel for possible flooding, the ground floor features a commercial elevator, a drive-through portico, a morning kitchen, home theatre and a wine tasting room near an outdoor kitchen and three-car garage. acadianaprofile.com

| 31

style+home DE LA CUISINE

32 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

food+drinks sur le menu 34 Sushi Spots

by jyl benson

de la cuisine 36 Cold Desserts

by marcelle bienvenu

Treat yourself to a homemade ice cream sandwich this spring to help beat the heat.

recettes de cocktail 40 Moss Locks

by Nick dietrich

FOOD+DRINK

DE LA sur leCUISINE menu

sushi spots 4 places to get fresh fish

Chef Parker’s Rainbow Roll from Silver Slipper in Arnaudville.

by jyl benson | photo romero & romero

In 2000, forward-

thinking entrepreneurs, revivalists and sisters Leah Simon and Michele Ezell started a revolution when they opened Tsunami, a West Coast style sushi restaurant – complete with a rotating roster of in-residence sushi 34 |

masters flown in from Japan – on Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette.

Lafayette had never seen anything like it, and Tsunami was an instant, white-hot success. Ezell says when they launched Tsunami they tried to

acadiana profile april/may 2016

keep the offerings very traditional, but customers soon started driving the menu. Hence, the incorporation of alligator, crawfish and soft-shell crab on to the bill of fare.

Four years after the opening of the Lafayette location, Tsunami

Baton Rouge opened in the Shaw Center on the city’s shockingly underutilized riverfront, affording stunning views from the sixth-floor rooftop dining room. The LSU Art School is located downstairs, so the place is always bustling with

chic youths taking advantage of the Tuesday-Friday happy hour specials. Some days the specials are for drinks; others for rolls, but there always some bargains to be found.

Last summer, the Lafayette-based restaurant company

that turned grilled alligator into a sushi bar mainstay added a new Tsunami outpost to the Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton in St. Mary Parish.

Tsunami prides itself on “LA flare with Southern care” with a diverse menu that takes sushi in inventive, globally inspired directions.

Across the Tsunami brand the menu is extensive, with traditional Japanese dishes and sushi bar standards augmented by more signature flavors showing a Louisiana influence. For instance, there are fried oysters with wasabi tartar sauce, the Ragin’ Cajun roll with panko-crusted alligator and the John Breaux roll, named for the longtime U.S. Senator from Acadiana, filled with spicy crawfish. Soybraised fish, short ribs over congee, pork belly ramen and calamari Ika Fries “fries” are other distinctive dishes.

Other favorites include Escolar Kazar, which pairs the muscular Gulf fish with a zesty cream sauce. Not to be missed is the TransBestBite roll with no rice, minced spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, kani, cream cheese and asparagus. It’s wrapped in soy paper, breaded in panko and fried and served with ponzu and tsurai sauces.

Miyako Japanese Restaurant 915 E. Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, (337) 4781600, miyakolakecharles.com Silver Slipper Cajun Hibachi Grill 2818 LA-31, Arnaudville, (337) 879-2050, silverslipper-hub.com Tsunami 100 Lafayette St, 6th Floor, Baton Rouge (225) 346-5100; Cypress Bayou Casino, 832 Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, (337)924-3334; 412 Jefferson St., Lafayette, (337) 234-3474, servingsushi.com Wasabi 3905 Ryan St, Lake Charles, (337) 477-1755.

bonus bite You can satisfy and en vie for pretty much anything at the Silver Slipper Cajun Hibachi Grill in Arnaudville – fine, hefty steaks, juicy burgers, towering seafood platters – you name it.

It should be noted that all the beef served here comes from Kirk Martin Slaughterhouse just up the road the Carencro so this may explain the inability to limit the menu to sushi. The result is a place where you can gaze upon the mossy Bayou Teche to the background strains of a fine fiddle while downing a top notch Bloody Mary loaded with all manner of pickled vegetables.

The sushi list extensive but standouts include the Arnaudville Roll (fried alligator and avocado roll topped with lump crab), the Beau Chene Roll, combines crispy chunks of fried catfish, sushi rice and peppers all wrapped in lettuce. In the middle is a sumptuous daub of lump crabmeat topped with sliced avocado, all with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. For the Leonville Roll a crab and cucumber roll is battered, deep-fried and then sliced into crunchy little coins, served with crawfish etouffee with a piquant tang ladled generously across the top.

Longtime Lake Charles sushi favorite, Mikayo, retains a solid following with traditional Japanese sushi including Nigiri, Gunkan, Norimaki and Temaki styles presented in a straightforward elegant Asian setting. Meanwhile, relative newcomer Wasabi is popular for its friendlier, valuedriven approach. Check out crab lagoons ( jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and crab, tempura-fried and drenched with a spicy mayo and eel sauce blend) and Louisiana-inspired crunchy rolls. Locals flock here for lunch specials that include twp rolls plus soup or salad for $8. Any roll can be enjoyed with soy paper or a cucumber instead of seaweed wrapper for no additional charge.

A STUNNING COLLECTION OF 50 TRADITIONAL (AND SOME NON-TRADITIONAL) LOUISIANA RECIPES. AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE FOR YOUR KITCHEN, OR THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A LOUISIANA FOOD LOVER.

$16.95

TO ORDER VISIT LOUISIANACOOKBOOK.COM

acadianaprofile.com

| 35

FOOD+DRINK

DE LA CUISINE

cool treats 5 desserts that beat the heat by marcelle bienvenu | photo eugenia uhl

Ice cream sandwiches can be made ahead of time, wrapped in wax paper, and inserted in storage freeze bags to use whenever an occasion arise.

Back in the 1950s, the

red-letter day for me and my siblings was the last day of school. At 8 a.m. sharp, report cards were given out by the good nuns who then herded us aboard a school bus that took us to the local park for an all-day picnic.

Parents (more mothers than fathers), were in charge of handing out hot dogs, bags of chips and ice-cold bottles of Coca-Cola.

The next day, my mother packed the old Ford station-wagon with groceries, ice chests, bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and inner tubes. She squeezed my sister, brothers and me in between bags of towels and folding chairs. We were off for a week at Cypremort Point on Vermilion Bay. The trip over bumpy blacktop roads that led through the marshes was an adventure. We knew the landmarks by heart. Mama always skirted around New Iberia on the back roads that led us to the tiny community of Lydia where we made our first stop to buy crushed ice, a couple pounds of bait shrimp, and a bag of chicken necks for the crab traps.

On the road again, we were on the lookout for giant grasshoppers that often appeared on the stretch between Lydia and the turnoff for Weeks Island.

It was fun to watch them smack on the car windshield and hear Mama mumble a few choice words.

tip Popsicle molds are available at specialty kitchen shops and some supermarkets. If they are not available, pour the mixture into ice cube trays and pop them out as needed.

Next stop was at Louisa, where Mama ticked off the last items on her list – several loaves of Evangeline Maid bread, a few pounds of ham (cut by hand), a gallon or two of milk and three dozen eggs. Then Mama allowed us to get popsicles.

Yahoo! The last stretch of our trip (about 9 miles) was over an oyster-shell road.

With no air-conditioning, the windows were rolled down, allowing white dust to blow into our faces that were covered with drippings of our iced treat.

The camp was also not air-conditioned, but windows and ceiling fans helped keep us cool. But our next-door neighbors had not only airconditioning but also a deep freezer that was generously stocked with popsicles, ice cream sandwiches and other frozen delights that were homemade. Life was good.

Although I don’t recall how the popsicles were made, my sister believes Hawaiian Punch was poured into popsicle molds with the wooden sticks and allowed to freeze. Popsicles (sometimes called ice pops) and other frozen treats are not just for children anymore. Adult-flavored ones are ideal for warmweather cool downs or a dessert for casual dinner parties. And who can pass up ice cream sandwiches made with homemade ice cream and cookies?

I have a wonderful herb garden from which I can harvest year-round. I am always open to using freshly picked herbs to brighten any dish. You can substitute mint, sweet basil or lemon verbena for the thyme.

acadianaprofile.com

| 37

Lemon Thyme Popsicles

Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Combine thyme, sugar and 1 ¼ cups water to a boil in a small saucepan and bring to gentle boil over medium heat.

Reduce heat to mediumlow, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.

Ingredients

Cool, then pluck out the thyme sprigs or strain through a mesh strainer.

Blend the thyme syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper and 3 ½ cups water in a blender for 1 minute. Pour the mixture into the ice-pop molds. Cover and insert sticks. Freeze until solid, about 4 hours. Dip the molds gently in hot water to release the pops. This recipe was adapted from Bon Appetit.

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

3 small bunches fresh thyme (I used lemon thyme from my garden) 1 ¼ cups sugar 2 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice

Pinch or two freshly ground black pepper

Campari-Orange Pops

Tip My husband loves ice cream sandwiches.

Sometimes he uses store-bought ice cream and cookies, but homemade ice cream makes all the difference in the world. Children love making them as well. I’ve had this recipe in my files since the early 90s when I found it in a Southern Living magazine.

38 |

Combine the remaining ingredients with syrup.

Divide among molds.

Cover and insert pop sticks. Freeze until firm.

Dip the molds into hot water for about 30 seconds to loosen the pops. Remove the pops from the mold to serve.

This recipe was adapted from Bon Appetit.

Makes 8 to 10

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Combine the flour, soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.

Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing well. Cover and chill for one hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Shape the dough into 22 balls, each about 1 ½-inches in diameter.

Place them three inches apart on ungreased cookies sheets. Dip a flatbottomed glass in flour and flatten each ball to a 2 ½-inch circle. Bake for eight to 10 minutes. Let stand for one minute on the cookie sheets, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 24 or 30

Bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Transfer syrup to a pitcher and chill until cold, abut 1 hour.

Beat the butter and the peanut butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Gradually add the sugar, beating well. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

Ingredients

⅓ cup sugar 1¾ cups fresh orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange zest ⅓ cup Campari ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

Remove the ice cream from the carton and quickly cut the ice cream into six ½-inch slices. Using a 2 ½-inch round cookie cutter, cut two rounds out of each slice. Reserve the remaining ice cream for another use. Place the rounds of the ice cream on half of the cookies, and top with the remaining cookies.

Wrap each in plastic wrap or wax paper and freeze.

Makes 11 servings

Ingredients

½ cup butter or margarine, softened ½ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup sugar ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 large egg ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon almond extract 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ½ gallon vanilla or chocolate ice cream (store-bought or homemade)

Mama’s Ice Cream Combine the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over mediumlow heat. Stirring constantly, cook until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Chill in the refrigerator for about two hours.

Remove from the refrigerator and add the fruit. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to manufacturer’s directions.

Ingredients

6 eggs, beaten 4 cups milk 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups chopped fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, or bananas

Another cool treat I enjoy during the warmer months is this sherbet.

Makes about 1 quart

Orange Creamsicle Sherbet Combine the orange juice concentrate and 1 cup of milk product in a blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the remaining dairy product and the vanilla.

Pour the mixture into the freezer bowl of your ice cream machine and turn it on. Mix until it begins to thicken, 20 to 25 minutes. The sherbet will have a soft texture. If you want it firmer, transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in the freezer for about 2 hours. Remove it from the freezer for about 15 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 3 tablespoons sugar 3 cups fat-free half-and-half or reduced-fat milk (or regular half-and-half or whole milk) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Makes about 5 cups

acadianaprofile.com

| 39

FOOD+DRINK

recettes de cocktails

moss locks Make it in bulk! recipe by Nick Dietrich | photo by eugenia uhl

Ingredients

Directions

1 bottle of Ponchatoula strawberry-infused Dolin Blanc

½ cup of sugar

Pare the skin from the lemons and rest in the sugar for an hour.

Juice the lemons and add the liquid ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved. Strain out lemon peels and serve in punch cups or tea cups.

20 ounces of green tea

Serves 13.

16 ounces of El Dorado 5 year Guyanese Rum 5 lemons

Ponchatoula is Choctaw for “Place of Flowing Hair” named for the Spanish moss that hangs from the trees.

acadianaprofile.com

| 41

42 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Texas Offers a Spring Bouquet of Festivals

TEXAs

Just like the wildflowers that line the Texas highways, every spring a profusion of festivals sprout up across the Lone Star State.

Before hot weather settles in, Texas towns take advantage of the temperate days with festivals that celebrate the season.

Whether your interests run from barbecue to bluebonnets, polka to Maipole dancing, you’ll find an event that welcomes your family to join the fun.

Following is a bouquet of 12 celebrations to put some spring in your step as you travel Texas. For more Texas festivals, visit traveltex.com.

About the authors: Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of Texas travel writers and guidebook authors.

photo by David truong

Round Top Antiques Fair March 28-April 2

Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas April 9-10

Visitors in search of such vintage visions ranging from McCoy cookie jars to Bakelite bracelets will find themselves in the presence of the past at the Round Top Antiques Fair. For close to 50 years, the tiny town's population of 90 has welcomed those who want to 'go retro' each spring (with another festival held in the fall).

Shoppers can mull over merchandise on display in the air-conditioned comfort of The Big Red Barn Event Center, the Carmine Dance Hall and the original Continental Tent, or browse outdoors along miles of booths. Visit roundtoptexasantiques.com.

44 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Once a part of Stephen F. Austin's original colony, in the small town of Chappell Hill not only do the roots of Texas history run deep, so do the roots of the state's official flower. For over half a century, the community blossoms with visitors each April for a salute to floral finery. Deemed the Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas by the Texas legislature, the event includes live music, an array of children's activities, tours of the town, shopping for gardening items, home decor and jewelry among more than 250 vendor booths, and a cluster of wildflower photographs at the Chappell Hill Museum Exhibit Gallery.

Visit chappellhillmuseum.org/ bluebonnet.html.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival April 9-May 30

We may "spring forward" as the season changes, but each April and May festival fans in Waxahachie have the chance to "fall back" as time rewinds to the days of King Henry VIII at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival.

For eight weekends, the entrance to 35 acres of woodlands transforms into a portal to the past where visitors can find all sorts of escapist entertainment ranging from jesters, jugglers and jousting knights to strolling minstrels, a mermaid lagoon, and a mythical monster museum.

Visit srfestival.com.

Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival April 22-23

The botanical beauties that blanket East Texas take center stage at the Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival.

Held on the town's courthouse square each April, the two-day event is a perennial favorite that includes a flower show and traditional festival events such as a quilt show, a car show, and a 5K run. Wildflower seeds and information is also dispensed at the hospitality booth. Visit lindenwildflowertrails.net.

photo by David truong

Wills Point Bluebird Festival April 23

In the words of a classic song, "Life is sweet, tender and complete/ When you find the bluebird of happiness."

The best place to find the bird that will put a song in your heart is in tiny Wills Point, located near Canton, just north of I-20. Each April, amateur ornithologists flock to the official Bluebird Capital of Texas for the Wills Point Bluebird Festival, a day dedicated to our fine-feathered friend.

The event includes traditional activities such as a carnival, car show, a kid zone and arts and crafts, as well as bus tours to check on bluebird nest boxes at Lake Tawakoni State Park. Visit willspointbluebird.org.

Port Neches RiverFest April 27-May 1

An annual veneration of velocity, the Port Neches RiverFest is the only tunnel boat racing event in Southeast Texas.

Known as "Thunder on the Neches," the exciting action on the water just skims the surface of the familyoriented fun during the five-day event.

A treasure hunt, carnival, live musical entertainment, and a fishing tournament are just a few of the activities that will accelerate the excitement for attendees at this festival held in Port Neches near Port Arthur. Visit pnriverfest.com.

Texas Crawfish and Music Festival April 29-May 1 and May 6-8

For the past three decades, foodies have enjoyed a crustacean celebration in Old Town Spring. Taking place over the course of two weekends in late April and early May, the Texas Crawfish and Music Festival serves up a virtual gumbo of zydeco, rock and country tunes, family-oriented fun at the carnival and tasty seafood treats. Visit texascrawfishfestival.com.

acadianaprofile.com

| 45

Texas Crab Festival May 6-8

Foodies with a hunger for a seafood celebration can satisfy their craving each Mother's Day weekend at an event that could be considered the mother of all Gulf Coast crustacean-themed shindigs, the Texas Crab Festival. The threeday Crystal Beach bash, which began back in 1986, offers a virtual menu of family fun which includes a Texas 2-step dance contest, wiener dog races, a crab bag toss tournament, live country, rock and zydeco tunes, and a gumbo cookoff. Visit texascrabfestival.org.

photo by Ulysses Serna

League City Music Festival May 6-7

Charity takes center stage when chart-topping country acts perform each year at the League City Music Festival. Sight First Leader Dogs for the Blind, Texas Lions Camp for Disabled Children and Lions Eye Bank of Texas are just a few of the non-profit organizations which have benefitted from the two-day May event, which also includes a carnival, kid zone, and a smokin’ BBQ cook-off. This year's music lineup includes Clint Black and The Bellamy Brothers. Visit lcmusicfest.com.

Maifest May 6-7

Brenham may have gained fame as the home of a popular brand of ice cream, but each May thoughts turn to German cuisine during Maifest.

For over 125 years, damsels in dirndl dresses and lads clad in lederhosen have welcomed visitors to a two-day celebration which includes Maipole dancing, German music, a carnival and much more. Visit maifest.org.

46 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

National Polka Festival May 27-29

Flower power brings travelers to The Official Bluebonnet City of Texas every spring, but while you’re there don’t miss a chance to celebrate symbols of Czech culture at the National Polka Festival. Held every Memorial Day weekend in the town of Ennis, the festival's 50th anniversary year in 2016 will offer a golden opportunity to "Czech out" the kolache eating contest, a parade through town, street polka dancing, and the oompah sounds of 19 polka bands. Visit nationalpolkafestival.com.

photo by patrick michels

T-Bone Walker Blues Fest June 3-4

If blues music, rather than bluebonnets or bluebirds, makes your spirit take flight, head to Longview for the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest.

Taking place in early June, the two-day tribute to the late Texas tunesmith attracts giants of the musical genre, and encourages the next generation through guitar workshops and a Junior Showcase. A car and cycle show appeals to those more interested in six-cylinder engines rather than six-string guitars. Visit tbonewalkerbluesfest.com.

acadianaprofile.com

| 47

li

stE n 6 AtCh TS

To

CATCH

is

anda Wicks

by Michael Patrick Welch & Am ero Rom & ero Rom photographs by

The story of how 25-yearold Kyle Huval came to learn the accordion at age 10 over another more traditional instrument is somewhat prosaic. It was the one instrument his family owned.

“I had always wanted to play guitar, but we didn’t have a guitar and my parents couldn’t afford a guitar,” he says, a jovial demeanor coming through his Cajun-tinged accent. “That’s what I learned on.“

Living in Eunice, Huval is now a high school history teacher, but his nights tell a different story. He and his band the Dixie Club Ramblers play traditional Cajun music that sets dancers twirling. “We take the older things and we add a lot of energy, a lot of rhythm, a lot of youth,” Huval explains.

Where younger musicians might explore modern sounds and weave those into tradition to create something more progressive, Huval and the

Dixie Club Ramblers have no intention of straying far from form. If anything, they draw on legends like Austin Pitre, Aldous Roger and the Balfa Brothers to lead their way. “We stick whole stone to what we do,” he says.

“We love what we do and people know us for that now. We don’t want to let those people down.”

- A.W.

Kyle thande dixie club Huval ramblers

Genre: Traditional

Cajun

Rusty METOYER

At 23 years old, Lake

Charles Zydeco accordion player Rusty Metoyer seems pretty young to be the torchbearer of age-old musical traditions. “My music is different because I do keep the traditional sound pretty close,” says Metoyer. “But, I also infuse newer sounds: funk, R&B, country music. So, I really kind of have my own style that’s not being duplicated by any other band.”

Both of Metoyer’s grandfathers were Creole musicians: “Fiddle, accordion, guitar, drums and bass,” he recalls. “Holidays we’d always have jam sessions at the house, playing the blues and stuff. My second grandfather died when I was

15, and that’s when I started getting fierce about learning – if only to keep playing songs for the family on holidays. But it’s turned into something much bigger than I imagined!”

Metoyer and Zydeco Krush, the band he started his senior year of high school in 2010, have played across Louisiana and Texas, up and down the East and West coasts, over in France and the Netherlands. These days they regularly play Capri Casino in Lake Charles, Jack Daniel’s Bar and Grill in L’Auberge casino, and Café des Amis in Breaux Bridge.

Metoyer’s new album In Due Time, was released this spring. “I think it’s different, a little more in depth; the music is a little more complex. And there’s a little more storytelling.” says Metoyer, who explains, “The name In Due

Time, is from a song on the album that talks about how I might not be a big name right now, or you might have heard me but don’t know who I am – but in due time you will know who I am.”

- M.P.W.

Genre: Zydeco fusion Concert dates: 4/14, McNeese, Lake Charles; 4/15 & 5/20, Jack Daniel's Bar/L’Auberge, Lake Charles; 4/22, O'Darby's, Carencro; 4/23, Semien Stables, Sulphur; 4/29, Contraband Days, Lake Charles; 5/14, Cafe Des Amis, Breaux Bridge; 5/21, Ride or Die Riders, Lacassine

Armed

Rhymery

“You can tell we have roots

in the older hip-hop,” says rapper Mo Blak of her duo Armed Rhymery. “We gravitate toward a funky sound that’s more versatile.”

In terms of subject matter, she says, “The music is always real; it’s what we feel, and what we’re going through. I normally rap about my hunger and my passion for music. But if I am feeling sad that’s what I talk about. It’s frustrating trying to be an artist in a city where hip-hop isn’t the main genre, so I take out a lot of my frustration about that through the music. But mostly it's about perseverance, keep on pushing. Music is like my

punching bag," says Black. "It's fun, but competitive.”

Blak, from Lafayette, and her partner Edward X from New Orleans, both in their early 20s, have over the last three years rocked Lafayette Prime Downtown and the city’s Mardi Gras Festival, plus clubs like Legacy, Blue Moon Saloon, JPs, Jefe’s. The reception has shows that Acadiana is ready for real, organic hip-hop. “A lot of rappers perform over their own songs with the vocal and everything,” says Blak. “We don’t do that – our vocals are all live. We have a more natural performance. We even do live band shows every once in a while. But most of all we have a different level of onstage crowd

participation. We make sure everyone on the floor is engaged the whole time, and that they have a part in what we’re doing."

Armed Rhymery’s debut album Two Black Sheep is available for free on Soundcloud, and a new release is scheduled for May. - M.P.W.

Genre: Hip-Hop/Funk Latest Album: Attitude (coming in May) Concert dates: 4/20, Legacy, Lafayette; 4/23, Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, other dates TBD

Genre: Roots Rock/ Cajun Concert date: April 20, Chickie Wah Wah, New Orleans,

Mark Meaux started the popular Bluerunners in 1987, and after letting the band lay dormant for many years, has finally brought it back again this year, to the delight of Louisiana music fans. “When you start again, it’s just the funnest thing to do,” says Meaux, who is joined once again

by Adrian Huval on accordion, drummer Frank Kincel, bassist

Cal Stevenson, and Jason Harrington on harp, fiddle and mandolin.

Meaux is unable to describe Bluerunners in just one or two words. “We jump all around, different genres, that’s kind of what our thing is,” he says.

“We just try and get to the gutbucket of whatever genre we’re doing, whether it’s kinda like a country song, or kinda like a soul song, or kinda like a punk song."

The Bluerunners are also known for jumping around physically, on stage. “The music is really energetic,” says Meaux.

“But the show is also really down home too, cause we were never rock stars. We were just guys who … got signed from a gig at Maple Leaf [in New Orleans]. We were sort of super naive and had our hearts on our sleeves the whole time. We were told we got signed because we were 'earnest, and not full of shit.'”

BLUE

Now with no label backing the band, Meaux and company are restarting slowly. “We won’t do any concerts besides regional stuff,” he claims, for now. “But we do have a couple new songs.

Hopefully we can get back in the studio and make something before the summer. For now we’re just having fun getting our legs back under us!”

- M.P.W.

s r e n n u R

Twelve years ago, The Creole String Beans began covering the most obscure Louisiana swamp-pop tunes its members could dig up. “We’re all record collector geeks, so we’re constantly looking for those deep nuggets,” says guitarist, New Orleans resident and St. Landry Parish landowner Rick Olivier, who first started The Creole String Beans with

The

bassist Rob Savoy. “At first we weren’t going to do any originals because we always prided ourselves on finding the obscurities. And in that canon, you have a never-ending supply to pick from the best songwriters in the world, from Allen Toussaint to Doug Sahm.”

With a twin saxophone attack and good old New Orleans triplets on the piano, the Creole String Beans keep it swampy. “We do Lloyd Price’s

creole

‘Just Because.’ People just jump on the dance floor when we play that,” Olivier attests. “K-Doe’s ‘Here Come the Girls’ was fairly obscure when we started covering it. And we do what I consider to be the National Anthem of South Louisiana, “Mathilda” by Cookie and the Cupcakes. When Rob and I were growing up, we’d go to weddings and…if the band didn’t play “Matilda” at the wedding, it was like the marriage didn’t count.”

But of course over the dozen years the String Beans have

s n a e b g strin

also penned some hot originals, such as “Sally Put a Spell on Me,” and “Funky Spillway.” “The latter one I am kind of proud of,” says Olivier. “It gives shoutouts to all these tiny Louisiana town like Chackbay that never get mentioned, and Pierre Part.

To follow up to the band’s album Shrimp Boots and Vintage Suits, the Beans will release their new record, titled Golden Crown this month.

- M.P.W.

Genre: Swamp Pop Concert dates: 4/10, French Quarter Festival (New Orleans); 4/29, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

The

y t i c d i m

The Mid-City Aces band

recreates the sound of Lafayette, while living in their favorite New Orleans neighborhood. “What makes Mid-City so unique is it's a really fresh neighborhood, and very artsy, but at the same time there's a lot of old unique New Orleans traditions that are still alive in Mid-City,” says Aces accordion player Cameron Dupuy. “It's more like where your average local person would be. Uptown people usually have more money, then the Quarter is more tourists, and Mid-City is right in the middle and it's just a thriving local area, really down to earth, like how our music is unique, and down to Earth.”

aces

Dupuy shares the stage in his three-piece Cajun band with fiddle player Gina Forsyth (wellknown from working with Bruce Daigrepont) as well as Cameron’s guitarist father, Michael Dupuy.

“We'd get together every year at our cousin's house for Christmas and do a big family jam session,” remembers Cameron of the band’s origins. “That’s the times when dad and I would always get to play with Gina on older Cajun songs that we just didn't get to play as often – songs people just don't play much anymore.” Then in 2015, Forsyth asked the father and son dup to help her record an album of herself playing fiddle to old Cajun songs. “It was her solo project, really, with us helping,” remembers Dupuy. “But we liked it so much we decided to start booking gigs as a band.”

Turns out that what’s often par for the course in Acadiana, really stands out just up the road in New Orleans. "The fact that we’re keeping it as traditional as possible, while also being from New Orleans, that separates us from everyone else,” says Dupuy, while promising, “we keep it pretty close to the Lafayette style.”

- M.P.W.

Genre: Cajun Latest Album: Live At Jazz Fest (2011)

Top Lawyers 414 listings in 4 6 categories

Methodology In determining the Top Lawyers of Acadiana we used Professional Research Services, a Detroit-based survey company. PRS offered this explanation of its methodology: The voting for Professional Research Services survey to determine the 2016 top attorneys for Acadiana Profile magazine was open to all licensed attorneys in the Acadiana, Louisiana market area. Each attorney was asked which attorney, other than himself or herself, they would recommend in the Acadiana area. Each attorney was allowed to recommend up to three colleagues in each given legal specialty. Once the online nominations were complete, each nominee was carefully evaluated on the basis of the survey results, the legitimacy of their license, and their current standing with the State Bar Association of Louisiana. Attorneys who received the highest number of votes in each category are reflected in the list by legal specialty.

acadianaprofile.com

| 57

Administrative/ Regulatory Law

Matthew D. Lane Jr. Ziegler & Lane, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 102 Lafayette 337-289-5352 Richard W. Revels Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Leslie J. Schiff Schiff, Scheckman & White LLP 117 West Landry St. Opelousas 337-942-9771 Jeremy B. Shealy Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Randall C. Songy Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Chris A. Verret Attorney at Law 325 Audubon Blvd.

Lafayette 337-237-4600

Admiralty & Maritime Law

Jeffrey M. Bassett Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483 Nicholas A. Blanda Anderson & Dozier 2010 W. Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-233-3366 Richard C. Broussard Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323

58 |

Larry Curtis Lawrence N. Curtis Ltd. 300 Rue Beauregard Building C Lafayette 337-235-1825 Blake R. David Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323 James D. Hollier Neuner Pate 1001 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 200 Lafayette 337-237-7000 Jennifer A. Jones Jones Law Firm 128 Smith Cir. Cameron 337-775-5714 Robert M. Kallam Preis, PLC 102 Versailles Blvd.

Suite 400 Lafayette 337-237-6062 James P. Lambert Jim Lambert Law Firm 315 S. College Suite 146 Lafayette 337-446-2766 P. Craig Morrow Jr. Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483 Dona K. Renegar Huval, Veazey, Felder & Renegar, LLC 2 Flagg Pl. Lafayette 337-446-2709 George H. Robinson Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 James Parkerson Roy Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Elwood C. Stevens Jr. Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Randall K. Theunissen Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000 Douglas W. Truxillo Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Conrad S.P. Williams III Williams Law Group 7910 Main St. Suite 413 Houma 985-876-7595

Alternate Dispute Resolution

Edward C. Abell Jr. Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Patrick J. Briney Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 David S. Cook David S Cook, APLC 313 Beverly Dr Lafayette 337-234-4155 Robert S. Dampf Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491

Patrick A. Juneau Jr. Juneau David, APLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-269-0052 Thomas R. Juneau Sr. Juneau David, APLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-269-0052 Andrew D. McGlathery III Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491 Bernard H. McLaughlin Jr. McLaughlin Mediation Services 713 Kirby St. Lake Charles 337-310-1609

Appellate Practice

Lawrence P. Simon Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979

Banking & Finance Law

Thomas D. Brumbaugh Champagne & Brumbaugh 1017 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-233-4414 Steven G. Durio Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300 Dallas K. Kingham Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491

James H. Gibson Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

Sue Tannehill Mann Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

W. Lilley Goforth & Lilley, APLC 109 Stewart St Lafayette 337-237-5777

Lindsay L. Pantaleo Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, APLC 328 Settlers Trace Blvd.

Lafayette 337-735-1760

Mark D. Plaisance Mark D. Plaisance, Attorney at Law P.O. Box 796 Thibodaux 985-227-4588 J. Daniel Rayburn Jr. Daigle Rayburn LLC 303 W. Vermilion Suite 210 Lafayette 337-234-7000 Michael G. Durand Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Steven T. Ramos Andrus, Boudreaux, Landry & Coussan, APLC 1301 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 401 Lafayette 337-984-9480 Craig A. Ryan Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law

H. Kent Aguillard M. Terrance Hoychick, APLC & H. Kent Aguillard 141 S. 6th St. Eunice 337-457-9331 Gerald J. Casey Attorney at Law 613 Alamo St. Lake Charles 337-474-5005 Harold L. Domingue Jr. Harold L. Domingue, Jr., APLC 711 W. Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-234-6003 Karl M. Helo Simon, Fitzgerald, Cooke, Reed & Welch 2901 Johnston St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-205-0492 Armistead M. Long Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Sue Tannehill Mann Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Christopher J. Piasecki Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660 Jordan T. Precht Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660

acadianaprofile.com

| 59

my toughest case

Catherine Stagg Fighting for the Innocent

C

atherine L. Stagg had always wanted to make a difference in public interest law or law reform cases.

After her graduation from LSU Law Center, she worked for a general law practice in Denham Springs, and then as a staff attorney for Capital Area Legal Services Corp. in Baton Rouge, representing low-income clients in civil matters. She also worked for the Louisiana Department of Justice in the Consumer Protection Section; as the executive director of the North Louisiana Legal Assistance Corp. in Monroe; and as a solo practitioner focusing on family law, criminal defense and Social Security disability. She has also provided legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence.

Her toughest case came when she was working as a sole practitioner at Stagg Law Office.

“It was a case from the public defender that they could not handle due to a conflict of interest: armed robbery with a firearm of the manager of a Walgreen’s store, with a possible sentence of 15 to 104 years, all without the benefit of suspension of sentence or probation or parole,” she recalls. “The client was a teenager, still 17, at the time of offense in 2008. It was now 2011. The case had been pending for over three years. No one wanted to take it to trial.”

All of the other lawyers on the case had truly believed that the teenager was not guilty, and so they had not wanted to go to trial or encourage him to plead to a lesser offense. Even his employer, she learned, believed in his innocence and voluntarily came to court every time there was a hearing to show his support.

profile by: Eve Crawford Peyton

“Unfortunately, when I got the case, the trial judge said, ‘No more continuances,’ so I had to go to trial,” she said. “By the time the first day came, I was so stressed that I was sick to my stomach and felt like I would faint before the trial even started. The judge kept suggesting we plead him out, and I kept saying he was innocent, and the judge and A.D.A. snickered that I was so naïve.”

Jury selection started, and Stagg was so tense that she went to her car on her lunch break and reclined the driver’s seat while doing deep meditation breathing to calm down.

“I returned to the courtroom a few minutes before the jury panel was expected,” she said. “The A.D.A. pulled me aside and told me that he met with the victim at lunch and showed her my client’s police interview for the first time, and she said that my client was definitely not the robber. Case dismissed.”

Stagg has realized her childhood dream of helping out those who need it most and doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon.

Hometown: Sulphur, La. Education: Northwestern State University, B.A., 1973 LSU Law Center, J.D., 1977 Firm: Stagg Law Office Areas of Expertise: Criminal defense, family law, Social Security disability, and general law practice

Photograph by: Romero & Romero

Rodd C. Richoux The Richoux Law Firm, LLC 110 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 205 Lafayette 337-205-7049 Craig A. Ryan Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Gerald H. Schiff Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Thomas E. St. Germain Weinstein & St. Germain, LLC 1414 NE. Evangeline Thwy.

Lafayette 337-235-4001 William C. Vidrine Vidrine & Vidrine 711 W. Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-233-5195

Commercial Litigation George Arceneaux III Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 John S. Bradford Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza, Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491 Theodore G. Edwards IV Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660

Michael D. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Steven C. Lanza Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Francis X. Neuner Jr. Neuner Pate 1001 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 200 Lafayette 337-237-7000 Merrick J. Norman Jr. Norman Business Law Center 145 East St. Lake Charles 337-436-7787 Andy Veazey Huval, Veazey, Felder & Renegar, LLC 2 Flagg Pl. Lafayette 337-446-2709

Commercial Transactions/ LLS Law

Richard L. Becker Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 W. Alan Lilley Goforth & Lilley, APLC 109 Stewart St Lafayette 337-237-5777 Henry C. Perret Jr. Perret Doise, LLC 1301 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 400 Lafayette 337-593-4900 Andy Veazey Huval, Veazey, Felder & Renegar, LLC 2 Flagg Pl. Lafayette 337-446-2709

Joseph C. Giglio Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979

acadianaprofile.com

| 61

my toughest case

Steven Jankower A Personal Crusade

S

teven Jankower always wanted to become a lawyer, but he never envisioned the turn his career would take or the extent to which his job would connect to his personal life.

He and his wife, Laura, have two daughters, Melanie and Ashley. Melanie, a student at UL, was born with Down syndrome.

Jankower had been doing civil litigation, but when he opened up his own firm in 2000, he became interested in Medicaid and estate planning, “as a result of my life experiences as the father of a daughter with special needs.” He notes that many attorneys tend to shy away from Medicaid planning in their practices due to the convoluted rules governing such benefits.

Over the years, Jankower has assisted hundreds of families with elderly relatives and family members with disabilities and special needs in planning their estates to preserve and protect their eligibility for public programs and benefits such as Medicaid.

“The first thing we always tell our clients is to forget anything they’ve heard about Medicaid because there is so much misleading and inaccurate information about how Medicaid operates, and poor decisions based upon inaccurate information can be extremely costly and time-consuming to correct.”

Jankower’s toughest case involves just such a scenario: His client had a daughter with special needs who lived in a group facility, and after an error with her Social Security benefits, her daughter received a large lump sum payment for past-due benefits. Unfortunately, representatives at the group

profile by: Eve Crawford Peyton 62 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

facility erroneously told the client that the funds needed to be spent quickly to protect her daughter’s eligibility for Medicaid benefits.

“When Medicaid learned what had happened, they notified the client that her daughter would lose Medicaid benefits for years, and her future long-term cares expenses would have to be paid out-of-pocket by the family,” Jankower recalls. “We immediately appealed the Medicaid ruling and began working with Medicaid representatives to find a way to solve the problems. Fortunately, we were able to come up with innovative solutions, including establishment of a special-needs trust for the child, that we employed to satisfy Medicaid concerns. We were successful in convincing Medicaid to reverse their prior ruling and preserve benefits for the child, saving the family hundreds of thousands of dollars in out-ofpocket expenses.”

In addition to his legal practice, Jankower lectures throughout Louisiana on Medicaid planning issues and challenges and has been involved with organizations serving individuals with special needs and their families.

Hometown: Lafayette Education: University of Southwestern Louisiana, B.S.B.A., 1978; LSU Law Center, J.D., 1982 Firm: Jankower Law Firm LLC Areas of Expertise: Medicaid and estate planning, particularly for the elderly and families with disabled or special-needs members

Photograph by: Romero & Romero

Construction Law

Corporate Law

Shawn A. Carter Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

Steven G. Durio Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300

Charles J. Foret Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Michael D. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Thomas R. Hightower Jr. Thomas R. Hightower, Jr., APLC 1019 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-233-0555 Emile Joseph Jr. Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000 Gary P. Kraus Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Charles Minyard Attorney at Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 501 Lafayette 337-226-2300 Richard D. Moreno Richard D. Moreno, LLC 125 W. School St. Lake Charles 337-656-8654 James T. Rivera Scofield & Rivera, LLC 100 E. Vermilion Suite 301 Lafayette 337-235-5353 Maureen O. Sullivan Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 300 Lafayette 337-326-5777

Joseph C. Giglio Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 James A. Watson Roddy, Watson & Everett 400 E. College St. Lake Charles 337-474-4886

Criminal Defense Non White-Collar

Thomas V. Alonzo Thomas V. Alonzo Law Firm 113 Jackson St. Lafayette 337-704-2615 Alfred F. Boustany II Boustany Law Firm 421 W Vermilion St. Lafayette 337-261-0225 Quincy L. Cawthorne Doran & Cawthorne, PLLC 521 E Landry St Opelousas 337-948-8008 Todd S. Clemons Todd Clemons & Associates 1740 Ryan St Lake Charles 337-262-0203 Harry L. Daniels III Daniels & Washington, LLC 830 Main St. Baton Rouge 225-383-3800 Pride J. Doran Doran & Cawthorne, PLLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 508 Lafayette 337-948-8008

acadianaprofile.com

| 63

Joshua S. Guillory The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, LLC 317 E. University Ave. Lafayette 337-233-1303 Shane K. Hinch Roach Law Firm 2917 Ryan St. Lake Charles 337-240-9760 J. Rebecca Jacobs Hunter The Sanchez Law Firm, LLC 901 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 1050 Lake Charles 337-433-4405 Chaz H. Roberts Chaz H Roberts Law, LLC 100 Magnate Dr. Suite A1 Lafayette 337-504-3202 J. Kevin Stockstill J. Kevin Stockstill, Attorney at Law 412 W. University St. Suite 205 Lafayette 337-366-8066

William L. Goode The Goode Law Firm 812 Johnston St. Lafayette 337-240-9630 Joshua S. Guillory The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, LLC 317 E. University Ave. Lafayette 337-233-1303 R. Michael McHale Jr. McHale Law Firm, APLC 631 Kirby St. Lake Charles 337-990-0093 Barry Sallinger Barry J Sallinger, APLC 820 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-5791 Walter M. Sanchez The Sanchez Law Firm, LLC 901 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 1050 Lake Charles 337-433-4405

Criminal Defense White Collar

Michael D. Skinner Skinner Law Firm, LLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-354-3030

Gerald J. Block Attorney at Law 321 W. Main St. Suite 2E Lafayette 337-233-9296

J. Kevin Stockstill J. Kevin Stockstill, Attorney at Law 412 W. University St. Suite 205 Lafayette 337-366-8066

Alfred F. Boustany II Boustany Law Firm 421 W Vermilion St. Lafayette 337-261-0225 Lester J. Gauthier Jr. Lester J. Gauthier, Attorney at Law 306 S. Pierce St. Lafayette 337-366-8047 Kay K. Gautreaux Kay Karre Gautreaux, LLC 405 W. Convent St. Lafayette 337-232-7747

64 |

Elder Law

Jasmine B. Bertrand Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 L. Milton Cancienne Jr. Cancienne Law Firm 515 Barrow St. Houma 985-876-5656

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Steven M. Jankower Jankower Law Firm, LLC 110 Exchange Pl. Suite 101 Lafayette 337-289-1745

William F. Bailey Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

Matthew J. Randazzo III Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

James A. Watson Roddy, Watson & Everett 400 E. College St. Lake Charles 337-474-4886

Robert L. Cabes Milling Benson Woodward, LLP 101 La Rue France Suite 200 Lafayette 337-232-3929

Richard W. Revels Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979

Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law

Susan A. Daigle Daigle Rayburn LLC 303 W. Vermilion Suite 210 Lafayette 337-234-7000

James J. Davidson III Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660

Employee Benefits Law

Joel P. Babineaux Babineaux, Poche, Anthony & Slavich, LLC 1201 Camellia Blvd.

Third Floor Lafayette 337-984-2505 Kyle L. Gideon Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660 Michael D. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407

Energy Law

Christopher B. Bailey Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

Billy J. Domingue Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Bob J. Duplantis Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Patrick W. Gray Johnson Gray McNamara, LLC 200 W. Congress St. Suite 900 Lafayette 337-412-6003 Margaret D. Laborde Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 Samuel E. Masur Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Jennifer E. Michel Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 300 Lafayette 337-326-5777

Jamie D. Rhymes Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 George H. Robinson Jr Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Bryan D. Scofield Scofield & Rivera, LLC 100 E. Vermilion Suite 301 Lafayette 337-235-5353 Randall C. Songy Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Environmental Law

Christopher B. Bailey Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900 Michael G. Durand Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Patrick W. Gray Johnson Gray McNamara, LLC 200 W. Congress St. Suite 900 Lafayette 337-412-6003

Paul J. Hebert Ottinger Hebert, LLC 1313 W Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-232-2606 Gary P. Kraus Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 James N. Mansfield III Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Thomas M. McNamara Johnson Gray McNamara, LLC 200 W. Congress St. Suite 900 Lafayette 337-412-6003 Christopher J. Piasecki Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660 Matthew J. Randazzo III Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900 George H. Robinson Jr Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 James P. Ryan Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483

Family Law

James D. Bayard Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

acadianaprofile.com

| 65

Alfred F. Boustany II Boustany Law Firm 421 W Vermilion St. Lafayette 337-261-0225 David L. Carriere The Law Office of David L. Carriere 322 S. Market St. Opelousas 337-948-6217 Robert L. Cole Attorney at Law 103 Kimball Dr. Lafayette 337-981-3999 Robert P. Cuccia Attorney at Law 311 Goode St. Houma 985-873-8595 James L. Daniels Attorney at Law 110 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 210 Lafayette 337-706-8935 Laura L. Davenport Laura L Davenport, LLC 730 Jefferson St. Lafayette 337-231-1397 Dean A. Doherty Law Office of Dean A. Doherty, LLC 405 W. Convent St. Lafayette 337-232-7747 Bradford H. Felder Huval, Veazey, Felder & Renegar, LLC 2 Flagg Pl. Lafayette 337-446-2709 Kay K. Gautreaux Kay Karre Gautreaux, LLC 405 W. Convent St. Lafayette 337-232-7747 Tara F. Gilder Attorney at Law 405 W. Main St. Lafayette 337-706-7118

66 |

Rachel B. Godley Rachel B. Godley, Attorney at Law, LLC 315 S. College Rd. Suite 225 Lafayette 337-456-3457 Brad A. Guillory Law Office of Brad A Guillory, LLC 940 Ryan St. Lake Charles 337-433-5297 Helen Popich Harris Helen Popich Harris, APLC 321 W Main St. Suite 2D Lafayette 337-291-6092 J. Rebecca Jacobs Hunter The Sanchez Law Firm, LLC 901 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 1050 Lake Charles 337-433-4405 Jonathan L. Johnson Johnson & Vercher, LLC 910 Ford St. Lake Charles 337-433-1414 Philip C. Kobetz Philip C Kobetz, LTD APLC 120 Representative Row Lafayette 337-291-1990 Daniel M. Landry III The Landry Law Firm 802 General Mouton Ave. Lafayette 337-237-7135 Cynthia C. LeBourgeois Attorney at Law 239 La Rue France Lafayette 337-232-2320 Shane M. Mouton The Mouton Law Firm 905 The Blvd.

Rayne 337-334-7000 Walter M. Sanchez The Sanchez Law Firm, LLC 901 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 1050 Lake Charles 337-433-4405

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Bernard T. Shea The Sanchez Law Firm, LLC 901 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 1050 Lake Charles 337-433-4405 Diane A. Sorola Attorney at Law 402 W. Convent St. Lafayette 337-234-2355 Catherine L. Stagg Catherine L. Stagg, Attorney at Law, LLC 1111 Ryan St. Lake Charles 337-497-0640 Susan L. Theall The Theall Firm, LLC 1304 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-264-9000

First Amendment Law

Thomas L. Lorenzi Lorenzi & Barnatt, LLP 518 Pujo St. Lake Charles 337-513-0886

General Service Law Firm

Robert L. Cole Attorney at Law 103 Kimball Dr. Lafayette 337-981-3999 Melvin A. Eiden Rabalais & Hebert, LLC 701 Robley Dr. Suite 210 Lafayette 337-981-0309 Daniel M. Landry III The Landry Law Firm 802 General Mouton Ave. Lafayette 337-237-7135 Richard D. Mere Richard D. Mere, Attorney at Law 701 Johnson St. Lafayette 337-269-5555

Government Relations Practice

Brent N. Carriere Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000 Vandana Chaturvedi Attorney at Law 403 Aundria Dr. Lafayette 337-988-5480 Robert L. Cole Attorney at Law 103 Kimball Dr. Lafayette 337-981-3999 Alex A. Lopresto III Jeansonne & Remondet Attorneys 200 West Congress St. Suite 1100 Lafayette 337-237-4370 Health Care Law Charles J. Boudreaux Jr. Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 Paul J. Breaux Paul J. Breaux, Ltd. 600 Jefferson St. Suite 503 Lafayette 337-266-2270 Franklin W. Dawkins Attorney at Law 201 Heymann Blvd.

Suite 27 Lafayette 337-534-2404 Nadia M. de la Houssaye Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 Nicholas Gachassin III Gachassin Law Firm 200 Corporate Blvd.

Suite 103 Lafayette 337-235-4576

Christopher C. Johnston Gachassin Law Firm 200 Corporate Blvd.

Suite 103 Lafayette 337-235-4576 S. Gary McGoffin Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300 Kristen N. Reynolds Gachassin Law Firm 200 Corporate Blvd.

Suite 103 Lafayette 337-235-4576 Julie A. Savoy Gachassin Law Firm 200 Corporate Blvd.

Suite 103 Lafayette 337-235-4576 Michael R. Schulze Sullivan Stolier Knight, LC 1042 Camelllia Blvd.

Suite 2 Lafayette 337-233-6210 Michael D. Skinner Skinner Law Firm, LLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-354-3030 Berryl ThompsonBroussard Gachassin Law Firm 200 Corporate Blvd.

Suite 103 Lafayette 337-235-4576 Donald W. Washington Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600

Immigration Law

David C. Clarke The Law Office of David Clay Clarke 345 Doucet Rd. Suite 211 Lafayette 337-205-6204

Ashley Foret Dees Ashley Foret Dees, LLC 313 Broad St. Lake Charles 337-214-0354 Grant Fulton Freeman Pecoraro Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-446-2453 Holly Lamarche Galloway & Jefcoat, LLP 1925 Dulles Dr. Lafayette 337-984-8020 Gregory R. Mier Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Elena A. Pecoraro Pecoraro Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-446-2453 Insurance Law Michael W. Adley Judice Adley 926 Coolidge Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-2405 Amy E. Boudreaux Daigle Rayburn LLC 303 W. Vermilion Suite 210 Lafayette 337-234-7000 Michael P. Corry Sr. Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Adolph B. Curet III Supple, Cremaldi & Curet, LLP 200 Willow St. Franklin 337-828-5480 Robert J. David Jr. Juneau David, APLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-269-0052

acadianaprofile.com

| 67

James P. Doherty III Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Charles J. Foret Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Jenna M. Harris Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 300 Lafayette 337-326-5777 Thomas R. Hightower Jr. Thomas R. Hightower, Jr., APLC 1019 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-233-0555 Michael G. Lemoine Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 John E. McElligott Jr. Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660 Timothy J. McNamara Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Jennifer E. Michel Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 300 Lafayette 337-326-5777 Will Montz Jr. Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

68 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

James L. Pate Neuner Pate 1001 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 200 Lafayette 337-237-7000

Gregory R. Mier Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Richard J. Petre Jr. Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

William W. Stagg Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300

Matthew W. Pryor Pujol, Pryor & Irwin, LLC 12320 Hwy. 44 Building 4, Suite C Gonzales 225-283-1337 Gary J. Russo Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600

Intellectual Property Law

Ted Anthony Babineaux, Poche, Anthony & Slavich LLC 1201 Camellia Blvd.

Third Floor Lafayette 337-984-2505 Billy J. Domingue Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Ryan M. Goudelocke Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-223-0300 Lillian C. Henry Attorney at Law 200 Heymann Blvd.

Suite L Lafayette 619-917-2079 Jesse D. Lambert The Law Office of Jesse D. Lambert, LLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 102B Lafayette 337-232-5006

Labor & Employment Law

Joel P. Babineaux Babineaux, Poche, Anthony & Slavich LLC 1201 Camellia Blvd.

Third Floor Lafayette 337-984-2505 Robert J. David Jr. Juneau David, APLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-269-0052 J. Michael Fussell Jr. Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Gregory Guidry Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC 603 Silverstone Rd. Suite 102A Lafayette 337-769-6583 Gregory K. Moroux Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Christopher L. Zaunbrecher Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070

acadianaprofile.com

| 69

Land Use & Zoning Law

Richard L. Becker Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Michael D. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407

Legal Malpractice Law

David Ayo Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

John M. Jefcoat Galloway & Jefcoat, LLP 1925 Dulles Dr. Lafayette 337-984-8020

James H. Gibson Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

John E. McElligott Jr. Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660

Scott D. Webre Webre & Associates 2901 Johnston St. Suite 307 Lafayette 337-237-5051

Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions

Jeffrey M. Bassett Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483 Brian C. Colomb Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033

acadiana profile april/may 2016

David Groner Tuten Title & Escrow, LLC 230 W. Main St. New Iberia 888-364-8657 Richard T. Haik Jr. Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483

Marc W. Judice Judice Adley 926 Coolidge Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-2405

70 |

Derrick G. Earles Laborde Earles Law Firm 203 Energy Pkwy.

Building B Lafayette 800-522-6733

Patrick C. Morrow Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483 Edwin G. Preis Jr. Preis, PLC 102 Versailles Blvd.

Suite 400 Lafayette 337-237-6062 James Parkerson Roy Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Elwood C. Stevens Jr. Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033

Bob F. Wright Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033

Medical Malpractice Law

Charles J. Boudreaux Jr. Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 Alan K. Breaud Breaud & Myers APLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1101 Lafayette 337-266-2200 Kenneth W. DeJean Law Offices of Kenneth W. DeJean 417 W. University Ave. Lafayette 337-326-4582 Marc W. Judice Judice Adley 926 Coolidge Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-2405 James P. Lambert Jim Lambert Law Firm 315 S. College Suite 146 Lafayette 337-446-2766 S. Gary McGoffin Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300 Daniel C. Palmintier Judice & Adley, APLC 926 Coolidge Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-2405 William H. Parker III Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

Sera H. Russell III The Law Offices of Sera H Russell III 111 Mercury St Lafayette 337-205-9786 Scott D. Webre Webre & Associates 2901 Johnston St. Suite 307 Lafayette 337-237-5051

Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Steven G. Durio Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300 Cade A. Evans Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

Sue Tannehill Mann Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Samuel E. Masur Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132

Stephen C. Polito Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491 Craig A. Ryan Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Municipal Law

Gregory W. Belfour Jones, Tete, Fonti & Belfour, LLP 1135 Lakeshore Dr. Floor 6 Lake Charles 337-439-8315

Samuel E. Masur Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132

Sara R. Buggs Neuner Pate 1001 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 200 Lafayette 337-237-7000

William P. Stubbs Jr. Stubbs Law Firm, LLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 103 Lafayette 337-233-9755

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Natural Resources Law

Steven C. Lanza Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Frank S. Slavich III Babineaux, Poche, Anthony & Slavich LLC 1201 Camellia Blvd.

Third Floor Lafayette 337-984-2505

72 |

Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

Michael P. Corry Sr. Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Michael D. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Patrick C. Morrow Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483

Gary J. Russo Jones Walker, LLP 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1600 Lafayette 337-593-7600 Lawrence P. Simon Jr. Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 J. Michael Veron Veron, Bice, Palermo & Wilson 721 Kirby St. Lake Charles 337-310-1600

Non-Profit/ Charities Law

Theresa A. Barnatt Lorenzi & Barnatt, LLP 518 Pujo St. Lake Charles 337-513-0886

Oil & Gas Law

Amy E. Allums Lee Johnson Gray McNamara, LLC 200 W. Congress St. Suite 900 Lafayette 337-412-6003 George Arceneaux III Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Christopher B. Bailey Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900

acadianaprofile.com

| 73

Jasmine B. Bertrand Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 William H. Collier Ringuet & Collier 302 Rue France Suite 201 Lafayette 337-232-0002 Lauren L. Gardner Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Joseph C. Giglio III Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900 Larry C. Hebert Ottinger Hebert, LLC 1313 W Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-232-2606 James N. Mansfield III Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Samuel E. Masur Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLC 400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 4200 Lafayette 337-237-0132 Matthew J. Randazzo III Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900 Jeremy B. Shealy Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Thomas G. Smart Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 74 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Personal Injury Litigation

Bennett B. Anderson Jr. Anderson & Dozier 2010 W. Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-233-3366 Glenn J. Armentor Glenn Armentor Law Corporation 300 Stewart St. Lafayette 337-233-1471 Taylor J. Bassett Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483 Edward K. Bauman Edward K. Bauman, APLC 1131 Hodges St. Lake Charles 337-491-0570 M. Charles Brandt Brandt & Sherman, LLP 111 Mercury St. Suite A Lafayette 337-237-7171 Robert R. Broussard Attorney at Law 201 Lafayette St. Broussard 337-232-3333 Richard C. Broussard Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323 Somer G. Brown Cox, Cox, Filo, Camel & Wilson, LLC 723 Broad St. Lake Charles 337-240-9349 Errol L. Cormier Errol L. Cormier, APLC 1538 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 101 Lafayette 337-237-2100 Michael P. Corry Sr. Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070

Larry Curtis Lawrence N. Curtis Ltd. 300 Rue Beauregard Building C Lafayette 337-235-1825 Blake R. David Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323 Kenneth W. DeJean Law Offices of Kenneth W. DeJean 417 W. University Ave. Lafayette 337-326-4582 Kevin R. Duck Duck Law Firm, LLC 5040 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy.

Suite 200 Lafayette 337-660-2699 Eva Y. Dumas Bradley Moreau Howay Stagg APLC 1318 Camellia Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-4660 Charles J. Foret Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 James S. Gates Morrow, Gates & Morrow, LLC 613 S. Main St. Opelousas 337-942-6529 William H. Goforth Goforth & Lilley, APLC 109 Stewart St Lafayette 337-237-5777 Joshua S. Guillory The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, LLC 317 E. University Ave. Lafayette 337-233-1303 Britney L. Hebert Glenn Armentor Law Corporation 300 Stewart St. Lafayette 337-233-1471

acadianaprofile.com

| 75

Thomas R. Hightower Jr. Thomas R. Hightower, Jr., APLC 1019 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-233-0555

Edwin G. Preis Jr. Preis, PLC 102 Versailles Blvd.

Suite 400 Lafayette 337-237-6062

R. Scott Iles Law Office of R. Scott Iles 1200 W. University Ave. Lafayette 337-234-8800

Chaz H. Roberts Chaz H Roberts Law, LLC 100 Magnate Dr. Suite A1 Lafayette 337-504-3202

Rémy A.M. Jardell Attorney at Law 625 St. John St. Lafayette 337-267-0985 John M. Jefcoat Galloway & Jefcoat, LLP 1925 Dulles Dr. Lafayette 337-984-8020 Patrick A. Juneau Jr. Juneau David, APLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-269-0052 Richard R. Kennedy III Richard R Kennedy, APLC 309 Polk St. Lafayette 337-232-1934 David C. Laborde Laborde Earles Law Firm 203 Energy Pkwy.

Building B Lafayette 800-522-6733 Holly Lamarche Galloway & Jefcoat, LLP 1925 Dulles Dr. Lafayette 337-984-8020 James P. Lambert Jim Lambert Law Firm 315 S. College Suite 146 Lafayette 337-446-2766 Richard R. Montgomery Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Jerome H. Moroux Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323 76 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

James Parkerson Roy Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Sera H. Russell III The Law Offices of Sera H. Russell III 111 Mercury St Lafayette 337-205-9786 Vincent J. Saitta Colomb & Saitta 428 Jefferson St. Lafayette 337-231-5250 Keith P. Saltzman Anderson & Dozier 2010 W. Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-233-3366 Stanton K. Sherman Brandt & Sherman, LLP 111 Mercury St. Suite A Lafayette 337-237-7171 Eulis Simien Jr. Simien & Simien, LLC 424 W. Main St. New Iberia 337-551-4242 Jimmy Simien Simien & Simien, LLC 424 W. Main St. New Iberia 337-551-4242 Kenneth D. St. Pé St. Pé Law 311 W. University Ave. Suite A Lafayette 337-534-4043

Elwood C. Stevens Jr. Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Thomas A. Thomassie IV Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Thomas E. Townsley The Law Office of Thomas Townsley 711 Pujo St. Lake Charles 337-430-0994 Christopher L. Trahan Christopher L. Trahan, APLC 1302 Lafayette St Lafayette 337-234-6999 Wells Talbot Watson Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan, LLC. 3006 Country Club Rd Lake Charles 337-478-8888 Jonathan L. Woods Preis, PLC 102 Versailles Blvd.

Suite 400 Lafayette 337-237-6062

Product Liability Litigation

M. Charles Brandt Brandt & Sherman, LLP 111 Mercury St. Suite A Lafayette 337-237-7171 Patrick J. Briney Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Richard C. Broussard Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323

acadianaprofile.com

| 77

Thomas A. Budetti Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Richard D. Chappuis Jr. Voohries & Labbe 700 St. John St. Lafayette 337-232-9700 Blake R. David Broussard & David 557 Jefferson St. PO Box 3524 Lafayette 337-233-2323 Charles J. Foret Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Mark A. Lowe Liskow & Lewis, PLC 822 Harding St. Lafayette 504-581-7979 Timothy J. McNamara Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 P. Craig Morrow Jr. Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett 324 W. Landry St. Opelousas 337-948-4483

Public Finance Law

Richard L. Becker Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Timothy L. Ryan Williams Anderson Ryan & Carroll LLP 200 W. Congress St. Suite 1020 Lafayette 337-205-8105

78 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Railroad Law

Grant Fulton Freeman Pecoraro Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-446-2453 Kyle L. Gideon Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards, LLP 810 S. Buchanan St. Lafayette 337-237-1660 Mark T. Hoychick M. Terrance Hoychick, APLC & H. Kent Aguillard 141 S. 6th St. Eunice 337-466-4419

Real Estate Law

Christopher B. Bailey Randazzo Giglio & Bailey, LLC 900 E. St. Mary Blvd.

Suite 20 Lafayette 337-291-4900 Richard L. Becker Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Philip H. Boudreaux Andrus, Boudreaux, Landry & Coussan, APLC 1301 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 401 Lafayette 337-984-9480 Jean-Paul P. Coussan Andrus, Boudreaux, Landry & Coussan, APLC 1301 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 401 Lafayette 337-984-9480

Adrian D. Cox Jr. Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza, Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491 Margo H. Dugas Tuten Title & Escrow, LLC 326 Settlers Trace Suite 101A Lafayette 337-524-1703 John P. Everett Jr. Roddy, Watson & Everett 400 E. College St. Lake Charles 337-474-4886 Ramon J. Fonseca Jr. Fonseca & Associates, LLC 217 Rue Louis XIV Suite 100 Lafayette 337-456-1163 Robert M. Francez Voorhies & Labbe 700 St. John St. Lafayette 337-232-9700 Jeremy A. Hebert Becker & Hebert, LLC 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-446-2407 Larry C. Hebert Ottinger Hebert, LLC 1313 W Pinhook Rd. Lafayette 337-232-2606 Stephen F. Mestayer Mestayer & Mestayer 110 E. Pershing St. New Iberia 337-365-8181 Shawn P. O'Neill Prime Title, Inc. 1819 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 114 Lafayette 337-235-0047 Timothy K. Reynolds Reynolds Law Firm, LLC 315 S. College Rd. Suite 101 Lafayette 337-593-0344

acadianaprofile.com

| 79

H.L. "Rye" Tuten III Tuten Title & Escrow, LLC 326 Settlers Trace Suite 101A Lafayette 337-524-1703 Neil G. Vincent Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

Securities/Capital Markets Law

Steven G. Durio Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann 220 Heymann Blvd.

Lafayette 337-233-0300

Tax Law

Jean C. Breaux Jr. The Law Offices of Jean C Breaux & Associates 1018 Harding St. Suite 103 Lafayette 337-233-4447

Lawrence L. Lewis III Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660

Grant Fulton Freeman Pecoraro Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-446-2453

Joseph M. Placer Jr. Placer Law Firm, LLC 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 202 Lafayette 337-237-2530

Richard J. Hymel Mahtook & LaFleur, LLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1000, Floor 10 Lafayette 337-266-2189

Robert E. Rowe Attorney at Law 113 Oil Center Dr. Lafayette 337-266-9626

Elena A. Pecoraro Pecoraro Law 600 Jefferson St. Suite 810 Lafayette 337-446-2453

William P. Stubbs Jr. Stubbs Law Firm, LLC 1018 Harding St. Suite 103 Lafayette 337-233-9755

Cary B. Bryson Bryson Law Firm, LLC 515 W Convent St. Lafayette 337-233-4210

Lester J. Zaunbrecher Allen & Gooch 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 400 Lafayette 337-291-1000

Daniel J. Finch Donald A Capretz, APLC 1011 Coolidge St. Lafayette 337-237-9999

acadiana profile april/may 2016

James M. Dill The Dill Law Firm 825 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-261-1408

Chris A. Verret Attorney at Law 325 Audubon Blvd.

Lafayette 337-237-4600

John A. Davis III Bryson Law Firm, LLC 515 W Convent St. Lafayette 337-233-4210

Larry Curtis Lawrence N. Curtis Ltd. 300 Rue Beauregard Building C Lafayette 337-235-1825

Ted W. Hoyt Hoyt & Stanford, LLC 315 S. College Rd. Suite 165 Lafayette 337-234-1012

Angela Smith Bryson Bryson Law Firm, LLC 515 W Convent St. Lafayette 337-233-4210

Donald A. Capretz Donald A Capretz, APLC 1011 Coolidge St. Lafayette 337-237-9999

80 |

William J. Friedman Jr. Attorney at Law 201 Rue Beauregard Lafayette 337-989-1912

Transportation Law

Alan K. Breaud Breaud & Myers APLC 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1101 Lafayette 337-266-2200 Richard D. Chappuis Jr. Voohries & Labbe 700 St. John St. Lafayette 337-232-9700

Maureen O. Sullivan Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP 100 E. Vermilion St. Suite 300 Lafayette 337-326-5777 Bob F. Wright Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033

Trusts & Estates

Brandon C. Bradley Bradley Moreau Howay Stagg APLC 1318 Camellia Blvd.

Lafayette 337-235-4660 William B. Bull Attorney at Law 711 Johnston St. Lafayette 337-234-4060

L. Milton Cancienne Jr. Cancienne Law Firm 515 Barrow St. Houma 985-876-5656 Donald A. Capretz Donald A Capretz, APLC 1011 Coolidge St. Lafayette 337-237-9999 Claire Bergeron Edwards Attorney at Law 321 W. Main St. Suite 1A Lafayette 337-233-3616 Albert J. Leger Leger & Babineaux 309 W Main St. Lafayette 337-233-7766 Lawrence L. Lewis III Onebane Law Firm, APC 1200 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 300 Lafayette 337-237-2660 Gregory J. Logan The Logan Law Firm, LLC 700 Jefferson St. Lafayette 337-232-6210 Steven T. Ramos Andrus, Boudreaux, Landry & Coussan, APLC 1301 Camellia Blvd.

Suite 401 Lafayette 337-984-9480 Robert E. Rowe Attorney at Law 113 Oil Center Dr. Lafayette 337-266-9626

Workers Compensation Law

Gloria A. Angus The Angus Law Firm, LLC 627 E. Vine St. Opelousas 337-948-8800

Glenn J. Armentor The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation 300 Stewart St. Lafayette 337-233-1471 Michael L. Barras Michael L Barras, APLC 120 Lee St. New Iberia 337-369-6400 Michael D. Bass Caffery, Oubre, Campbell & Garrison, LLP 100 E. Vermillion St. Suite 201 Lafayette 337-446-2442 Thomas A. Budetti Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards Colomb, LLC 556 Jefferson St. Suite 500 Lafayette 337-233-3033 Brian L. Coody Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, LLP 127 W Broad St. One Lakeside Plaza Floor 4 Lake Charles 337-436-9491 Vionne M. Douglas Simien & Simien, LLC 424 W. Main St. New Iberia 337-551-4242 Charles J. Foret Briney Foret Corry, LLP 413 Travis St. Lafayette 337-237-4070 Stephen C. Gaubert The Law Office of Stephen C. Gaubert 600 Jefferson St. Suite 1202 Lafayette 337-354-3000

Rémy A.M. Jardell Attorney at Law 625 St. John St. Lafayette 337-267-0985 John M. Jefcoat Galloway & Jefcoat, LLP 1925 Dulles Dr. Lafayette 337-984-8020 Charles B. Landry Charles Benjamin Landry, APLC 1309 Lafayette St. Lafayette 337-332-9806 Seth T. Mansfield Neuner Pate 1001 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 200 Lafayette 337-237-7000 Donovan J. O'Pry II O'Pry Law Firm, LLC 2014 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 507 Lafayette 337-415-0007 Dona K. Renegar Huval, Veazey, Felder & Renegar, LLC 2 Flagg Pl. Lafayette 337-446-2709 Barry J. Rozas LeBas Law Offices, APLC 201 Rue Iberville Suite 100 Lafayette 337-236-5500 John F. Wilkes III Borne Wilkes & Rabalais LLC 200 W Congress St. Suite 1000 Lafayette 337-232-1604

Rebekah R. Huggins Glenn Armentor Law Corporation 300 Stewart St. Lafayette 337-233-1471

acadianaprofile.com

| 81

82 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

Ginger Kelly incorporates bright pops of color into her glass artwork.

culture les personnes 84

What began as a wild idea concocted while hunting is now a dream come true for Bayou Rum Distillery president and co-founder Trey Litel and his business partners. by will kalec

la musique 88 Festival International celebrates 30 years.

by Sarah ravits

les artistes 92

Breaux Bridge transplant turned townie Ginger Kelly looks back on an unique, artful journey and the loved one she influenced along the way. by will kalec

en français 96

NapolĂŠon et le Code civil par david cheramie

culture LES DE LA personnes CUISINE

if you build it, they will rum What began as a wild idea concocted while hunting is now a dream come true for Bayou Rum Distillery president and co-founder Trey Litel and his business partners. by will kalec | photo by romero & romero

Bayou Rum has been recognized not only for its taste, but also bottle presentation and marketing

Trey Litel once was

blind, but now he sees.

More to the point, he was once in a duck blind – waiting for the birds to swoop down and flirt with the decoys – quietly yammering away about this unquenchable desire to escape cubicle life and do something cool to pay the bills. Maybe, like, make rum. Litel’s brother, Tim, also fending off the morning winter chill and patiently waiting for some action, nodded in agreement.

Yeah, that would be cool.

And now, Litel sees those words manifest into a brick-and-mortar, 80-proof dream come true everyday as the president of Bayou Rum Distillery – the happiest place on earth … or at least the happiest place in Jeff Davis Parish.

The largest privately owned distillery in the country shines like a boozy beacon just off I-10, serving as a must-stop destination for tourists in a state full of them, and as an escape from the fog of corporate minutia for Litel and Co. “It’s fantastic,” Litel says.

“I jump out of bed every day; I don’t get out of bed. It’s a passion, and it’s exciting.

And really, this all started because my brother and I were trying to figure out how Louisiana produces all this world-class sugar cane but doesn’t produce any rum. How come there isn’t any rum here?

“We answered that by talking to our friend, Skip Cortese, and I put together a PowerPoint presentation, and the rest is history.”

History in the making, actually.

In five short years, Bayou Rum has grown exponentially from

shovels-in-the-ground to a budding powerhouse in the crowded and competitive world of alcohol production.

Using their combined and complementary business acumen, the brass at Bayou Rum have fostered a product that’s become widely distributed and also critically acclaimed. Draped in 72 total awards (and counting), the four variations of Bayou Rum (Select, Satsuma, Silver and Spiced) have been handed shiny hardware from prestigious organizations such as the American Distilling Institute, the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, the American Craft Distillers Association and the Sip Awards.

Bayou Rum has been recognized not only for its taste, but also bottle presentation and marketing – a strong suit of Litel who worked for Bacardi for years in between stints with a couple computer and technology companies.

“We’ve used every bit of every experience we’ve ever had in our life and poured it into this business to build it,” Litel says. “It’s all been used to try and learn and try to grow. It humbles you.

I worked for multi-billiondollar companies and then you come to owning your own small business and it’s all about cash flow. ‘Gosh, if we spend a dollar on that, we can’t spend a dollar on this.’ It was tenuous at the beginning, but we learned teamwork, the technicalities of distilling, and if we were going to make a world-class rum, we were going to need help.”

So they hired Jeff Murphy, an up-and-coming distiller from Privateer Rum in Massachusetts. Prior stops for Murphy included

acadianaprofile.com

| 85

LES personnes

working for a beer brewer in Singapore and a vodka distiller in Texas. Using raw sugar and molasses grown locally and processed in New Iberia, Murphy credits the indigenous staple as the source of Bayou Rum’s particular taste. Murphy’s recipe is implemented on a 22-acre plot of land and a facility that serves as the gold standard for all other distilleries to follow and surpass in the future.

According to Litel, the distillery itself is as big a part of the Bayou Rum brand as the liquor itself.

“There were three ways we could have gone with this idea,” Litel says. “First, you can create a bottle and buy the juice from someone else and put it on the market. No. 2, you can buy an existing building. Or three, you can build from the ground out.

It’s the hardest task, so of course Tim, Skip and I said, ‘Let’s take that path.’ But we took in a way that would make Louisiana proud. So our place is modeled off the way they do it in Kentucky, but it’s Louisiana’s. And we wanted it to be a Louisiana destination.”

Blessed with a silver tongue, Litel affectionately calls the beverage business the “entertainment industry,” and therefore wanted to create a hub that brought the sizzle to complement Bayou Rum’s substance. Well, it seems he’s accomplished just that. In February 2016, Bayou Rum Distillery was honored with the Louey Award – given to the tourism attraction of the year – from the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association.

86 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

The distiller tour begins in a room with 24-foot ceiling covered in reclaimed timber.

“It’s impressive,” Litel says.

“People walk in with their mouths open even though they aren’t saying a word.”

From there, tour guide Josh Thibodeaux takes visitors through the viewing room.

One wall contains old pictures that showcase the history of rum production in Louisiana while another wall diagrams the sugarcane growing and harvesting process. Through windows, visitors view the copper distilling equipment as a five-minute video plays containing interviews with sugar growers and scenes inside the sugar mill showing the cane being crushed and crystalized.

Guests are also taken through the bottling room, the test lab, the ever-popular tasting room and conclude the trip at the gift shop.

“We hope that they pick up a little memento of their time here, that it’s an experience they want to remember,” Litel says.

“Because for us, it’s been an incredible journey. We’re off to a good start, but we have a long way to go. Because we have a big goal. We want to be America’s rum. We want to be the Tito’s Vodka of the rum business. Of course, we’re proud, but we’re gonna keep on truckin’ because there’s a lot to still do.”

culture lA musique

88 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

into the groove Festival International de Louisiane celebrates 30 years By sarah ravits photos By david simpson

A 25-year-old hula

hoops to the live soundtrack of a Moroccaninfluenced electronica band from France, so caught up in the trance that she doesn’t notice it’s raining. Three toddlers splash through a fountain with a babysitter, as their parents occupy themselves a few blocks away, inventing new dance moves to the beat of a celebrated New Orleans brass band.

An older couple from Breaux Bridge two-steps in perfect, romantic harmony, as they have been for years to a Cajun group; and a skateboarder whizzes past an ensemble of Native American wind instrumentalists selling CD’s outside of what might normally be considered a “college bar” – which is now offering cheap cocktails to go for everyone (who is over 21).

As the sun sets and the rain fades, an ensemble of teens scream as a French Canadian trio of scruffybearded hip-hop dudes belt into the microphone, asking to know – in English, and then in French

acadianaprofile.com

| 89

– if they are ready. And in the back of a crowd, absorbing it all, is a Midwestern observer and an artist from Martinique, who might not have otherwise met – feel like they belong together – trading bites of a falafel sandwich.

No matter the language, age or creed, a universal message can be felt that everyone in Lafayette – already a city known for its friendliness – is warmly embraced during Festival International.

90 |

And now it’s celebrating an important milestone: its 30th anniversary, from April 20-24.

It began as a small Francophone festival to help boost the economy and morale during a recession in 1986.

Now it draws in about 400,000 people each year with musicians, artists and performers from around the world, maintaining its family-friendly, laid-back but celebratory vibe despite swelling numbers.

acadiana profile april/may 2016

While other popular music festivals around the country have seen a dramatic increase in ticket fees, Festival International is free and always has been.

The festival welcomes artists and performers from all over the globe, while keeping a focus on its deep Frenchspeaking connections.

“The festival started off as a Francophone festival, so one of our focuses this year is to connect to those roots,” says Ashley Courville,

marketing director, adding that they will be hosting artists and musicians from more than 22 countries around the world.

“We made an effort to make sure we have a high number of French-speaking countries to pay home age and honor the 30th anniversary,” she says.

One of the highlights will include a 30-year photography retrospective, a collaboration with UL Lafayette.

There is also a Haitian art exhibit that has been on display all month. Other highlights include Louisiana International Music Exchange (LIME), presented by

Festival International de Louisiane and Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, which promotes and present Louisiana musicians to music industry professionals from around the world, fostering professional networking opportunities and interactions while showcasing Louisiana

musicians. There will also be a 5K – “Courir du Festival” and the Rhythm and Roots series, which pairs local and international artists into a live collaborative performance at the Blue Moon Saloon.

Headlining musicians at Festival International will include Alpha Blondy

and the Solar System; A-WA; Burundi Drummers; Dédé Saint Prix; The Garifuna Collective; Sonny Landreth and dozens more.

For more information, visit festivalinternational.org.

Show support One way that Festival International maintains its free admission is through the optional sale of collector’s items, namely, the official pin and poster. This year, the official artwork was done by mixed media artist and illustrator, Denise Gallagher.

“She has a style that’s whimsical with a vintage flair,” says April Courville, marketing director for Festival International, adding that the design is both “very modern and forwardthinking as well. “

acadianaprofile.com

| 91

culture les artisteS

92 |

acadiana profile april/may 2016

reflections in glass Breaux Bridge transplant-turned-townie Ginger Kelly looks back on an unique, artful journey and the loved one she influenced along the way.

By Will Kalec | photos by romero & romero

Ginger Kelly believes that blowing glass is “art for problemsolvers.”

The colorful world

of Ginger Kelly is a brick-and-mortar outlier on the antique streets and among sepia-toned shadows of downtown Breaux Bridge.

Surrounded by chic Cajun quaintness, city blocks containing stores where dust is celebrated not swept, Kelly’s glass studio is a starburst of energy and imagination. When the sun shifts and invites itself inside, Kelly’s pieces – vases, pitchers, ornaments and jewelry only scratch the surface of her expansive functional yet decorative all-glass catalog – come to life, radiating

a kaleidoscope of color so brilliant it’s impossible to ignore.

And though the space is different, though it’s unique, it still fits this neighboring community of Lafayette.

So does Kelly, for that matter. Sure, she might not sound like the people she greets, and her summers are spent far away from the soupy air of south Louisiana – an escape spent in Seattle with her son, Jesse, blowing glass – but make no mistake, for Kelly, this is home.

A Californian by birth, Kelly relocated to St. Tammany Parish in 2005 after

spending many years working in Seattle’s renowned glasswork and commercial art industry. Though not directly affected by the devastation brought

by Hurricane Katrina, Kelly was one of many metro New Orleans artists to find creative refuge in Acadiana.

In addition to forging a fiercely loyal local customer base here, Kelly also educates the community in her craft, instructing frequent glass blowing and glass art classes.

“Breaux Bridge is a great space,” Kelly says. “I’ve established myself here. I know a

lot of people. I have kind of a following.

And I think people like what I do, and I feel the southern culture blended into my work naturally. And people interact with each other.

A quick nod of the head in your direction, or a stranger saying “Hey,” can make you feel at home compared to a place where everyone has headphones on.”

Kelly’s fascination with glass developed shortly after graduating from college and deciding to plant professional roots in Seattle. To pay the bills, Kelly worked as a graphic artist for print companies, but

was lured away by the three-dimensional creative experience glass afforded. The early lessons Kelly learned in Seattle are still applicable today and helped forge her signature “functional and sculptural” designs.

“When you’re blowing glass, you have to be completely focused on what you’re doing,” Kelly says.

“Whether it’s functional or artistic – and there are so many avenues in each – you have to stay engaged. Glass is so interesting. It’s an art for problem-solvers.

“Sure, I have a plan that I start out with,

acadianaprofile.com

| 93

coordinated, so he took to it well. And in glass, you have people who are technically very good – technicians, really – and then you have creative people. He’s a combination of that, and so am I. “I come from a mechanical family who all had busy hands and always did things with their hands,” Kelly says. “So that’s just in our nature or in our blood. It’s a team effort, for sure. Hey, he’s a big strong guy.

Don’t think I don’t put that to use out there.”

On his own website, Jesse credits his inspiration to the icons of his childhood and from meaningful life experiences – a sentence that seems like an ode to his mother, even

but things change so quickly,” Kelly says.

“Nothing is written in stone with glass, so you have to adapt without warning sometimes and change that plan.”

No matter what Kelly is creating – whether it’s a bracelet or a bowl – her work is instantly recognizable because of the non-uniform way in which she liberally uses color, giving pieces a look that would fit in seamlessly on the set of “The Brady Bunch.” Though her technique and expertise has ripened over the years, Kelly’s love affair with eye-catching shades and tones has been evident from day one.

94 |

“Color in glass looks like wet paint,” Kelly says.

“It’s great; it’s lush. And even when I look back, and look at how my work has changed, that color has always been there.

It’s been a constant.”

Much of the actual glass-blowing Kelly performs takes place during summer sabbaticals to Seattle, more specifically her son Jesse’s workspace.

Following in his mother’s footsteps, Jesse has been a key team member for Lino Tagliapietra, an Italian master glass artist, for the past decade. He’s studied and designed both domestically and abroad, so is therefore

acadiana profile april/may 2016

well-versed in Western and traditional Eastern European glass blowing techniques.

“It’s a team effort, for sure,” Kelly says. “Hey, he’s a big strong guy.

Don’t think I don’t put that to use out there.”

“I guess he was paying attention to what I was doing better than I thought, growing up,” Kelly says. “He was around it. I didn’t make him do it. He’s

To see more of Ginger Kelly’s work, visit curvemeister.com/ gingerkellywp

though Kelly quickly downplays the direct impact she had on her son’s job choice.

“He’s paved his own way,” Kelly says. “I’ve had people say, ‘Oh, boy, I couldn’t work with family.’ But it’s not like that at all. I’ve never said, ‘Do it like me.’ He’s got his own style and approach.

I learn from him as much as he learns from me. As an artist, I’m proud of that. And as a mother, as well.”

culture en français, s’il vous plaît

napoléon et le code civil par david cheramie

Considérée comme

une des pièces du théâtre américain au XXe siècle des plus importantes, et certainement une des plus célèbres, « Un tramway nommé Désir » de Tennessee Williams met en scène la lente dégradation d’un couple néo-orléanais Stanley Kowalski et sa femme Stella, née DuBois. Au début de ce drame, Stanley lui demande si elle n’a jamais entendu parler du code Napoléon.

Devant sa réponse négative, il commence à l’éclairer sur un des principes fondamentaux de ce système, la communauté des biens dans le mariage. « En Louisiane, on a le code Napoléon selon lequel ce qui appartient à la femme appartient au mari et vice-versa. » En effet, la Louisiane fonctionne sur un régime juridique différent de celui du reste des États-Unis. Grâce à « Tramway », en plus de la langue française, du Mardi Gras et de la cuisine succulente, l’Amérique sait qu’une autre particularité de la Louisiane est notre système légal, et ce, selon la tradition, à cause de Napoléon Bonaparte.

Seulement, ce n’est pas tout à fait vrai. Ce qu’on appelle le code civil a ses origines dans la codification du droit romain sous l’Empereur Justinien I au VIe siècle.

Parmi ses accomplissements, Justinien a réunifié l’empire romain depuis sa capitale de l’époque, Constantinople.

96 |

Comme lui, Napoléon a réussi à créer son empire sous l’égide d’un système uniforme de lois qui éliminait les différences régionales pouvant nuire au bon fonctionnement du commerce et de la vie politique sur l’ensemble du territoire conquis. D’accord, la Grande Armée a un peu contribué à l’unification des peuples divers, de la même manière que Justinien a profité des victoires militaires de son général Bélisaire pour rassembler son empire. Néanmoins, l’idée que la loi primaire soit une expression législative écrite, et non pas le résultat d’une longue série de jugements et de précédents,

acadiana profile april/may 2016

nous démarque du monde anglo-saxon, c’est-à-dire du reste des États-Unis, du Canada sauf le Québec, du Royaume-Uni et du Commonwealth où le common law règne suprême. La majorité des autres pays du monde sont sous une forme de droit civil.

Malgré son sobriquet, notre code civil doit plus à la Coutume de Paris et Las Siete Partidas espagnoles qu’au code Napoléon proprement dit qui fut promulgué le 21 mars 1804, un an après la vente de la Louisiane. Le premier code louisianais est le Digeste de la Loi Civile, proclamé le 31 mars 1808 et rédigé par Brown, Livingston

et Moreau-Lislet. Ce digeste s’inspire des travaux qui ont conduit au code Napoléon, mais ce n’est pas exactement le même. Le premier code civil après notre entrée dans l’union américaine, rédigé en anglais et en français, fut publié le 12 avril 1824, dix ans et un jour après la mort du Petit Caporal.

La beauté de la langue du code dans sa clarté et sa précision est attestée par un maître du style, Stendhal. Dans une lettre à Balzac, luimême pas mal comme écrivain français, il disait que tous les jours pendant l’écriture de La Chartreuse de Parme il lisait deux ou trois pages du code afin d’imiter

son style. Aujourd’hui encore, on doit se référer à la version française originale en cas de dispute sur le sens d’un article qui en était traduit. Le français n’est pas un vice de forme, c’est-à-dire qu’un testament ou un contrat rédigé en français en Louisiane ne peut pas se faire invalider sur le seul fait d’être écrit en français. Si les lois louisianaises doivent être promulguées en anglais, elles peuvent l’être aussi en français, comme les contrats et les testaments. Le français est la langue de travail du CODOFIL. C’est grâce à ces traditions et ces lois qu’on peut dire que le français jouit d’un statut légal et officiel qu’il n’a pas ailleurs aux États-Unis.

L’ombre de Napoléon continuent à peser lourd sur notre présent, de la Maison Napoléon dans le Vieux Carré construite dans l’espoir de l’accueillir un jour jusqu’au premier bateau de pêche motorisé, le Petit Caporal, qu’on peut toujours voir au village de mon enfance, Canal Yankee. Et chaque année pour l’insolite concours de « Stella! » lors du Festival Tennessee Williams, on peut remercier Stanley pour son cours sur le code Napoléon, avec une licence poétique.

For an English translation, visit acadianaprofile.com.