Merry Christmas To All!

With much appreciation…
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the knowledgeable and talented speakers who made our November All Day CLE seminar such a success. Special thanks to Clerk of Court Jessica Brewster, Director of Recording Leanne Kimble Eckholdt, Judge Scott Gardner, Justice William Crain, District Attorney Collin Sims, Alex Reed, Esq., Parish Tillman, Esq., and Gordon Herrin, Esq.
We are equally grateful to you—our members and friends—whose presence helped make the day truly remarkable.

Below you will find the dates for our monthly ZEA Lunch & CLE series, as well as our All Day CLEs. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss a single one!

Speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. In the meantime, we welcome your suggestions for topics or presenters you’d like to see in 2026. We are here to serve you, so let us know how we can best support your professional growth.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

December 1-14, 2025 Throw Back Registration!!! Purchase your 2026 22nd JDC Membership at 2020 prices!!

Basic Membership $75
Basic+Premium Advertising $115
Basic+All of the Lunchtime CLEs prepaid (9) $175
SUPER PACKAGE for $215

With prices this affordable you should consider upgrading and get the Premium Advertising. Our website is a regularly used referral for people looking for attorneys!

If you choose to print and mail in your form and check, please note they must be postmarked by 12/14/25.

January 1-December 31, 2026 – Member Registration available
It’s never too late to join the 22nd JDC Bar Association and stay connected all year!
Basic Membership $110
Basic+Premium Advertising $155
Basic+All of the Lunchtime CLEs prepaid (9) $210
SUPER PACKAGE for $255

• Monthly ZEA lunch and CLE will be held at ZEA Rotisserie and Bar, 110 Lake Drive, Covington LA, on the following dates in 2026: January 23, February 27, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16. Registrations will open once speakers are confirmed. Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
• All Day Family Law CLE will be held on March 20 at the Greenwood (A Southern Hotel Property located at 75082 LA-25, Covington, LA 70435)
• All Day General CLE is on November 13, at the Southern Hotel
• Criminal Law CLE -date to be announced

READY TO REGISTER FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY CLES?

BE SURE TO PURCHASE YOUR 2026 MEMBERSHIP BEFORE REGISTERING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER PRICES!

January 23, 2026 – ZEA Lunchtime CLE – “Navigating Technology, Processes and Data Available Online at St. Tammany Parish Assessor’s Office” with Assessor Louis Fitzmorris, Chief Deputy Assessor Troy Dugas and Michael McNeil, Information and Technology Services Director. The goal is to increase awareness and demonstrate the available data, content and tools and their usefulness to attorneys and their clients. Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.

February 27, 2026 – ZEA Lunchtime CLE – “The Neurochemistry of Trauma – Crime Victimization” with Thomas Mitchell, Executive Director of Children’s Advocacy Center, Hope House. Attorneys, particularly those practicing in family law and criminal law, regularly work with clients who have experienced significant trauma, including child abuse, domestic violence, and other forms of victimization. Understanding the neurochemistry of trauma enhances an attorney’s ability to communicate effectively with clients, interpret behaviors accurately, and navigate cases with greater sensitivity and insight. Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
Pending 1 hour of Family Law Specialization Credit

Important 2026 MCLE Update

The Louisiana Supreme Court has amended Rule XXX of the Rules for Continuing Legal Education, modifying the long-standing age-based exemption for attorneys.

Under the revised rule, attorneys who turn 65 on or after January 1, 2026, will be required to complete five hours of CLE each year, including one hour of ethics and one hour of professionalism, until they reach age 75. All 5 hours may be earned through computer-based programming. Attorneys who attain age 75 will be fully exempt from MCLE requirements.
Attorneys who turned 65 before January 1, 2026, will remain covered by the current exemption and will not be subject to the new continuing education requirement.
Read the full order from the Louisiana Supreme Court
https://www.lsba.org/documents/Publications/2025MCLEOrderReAgeMCLE.pdf

What’s New in 2026?

Advertise In Our Monthly Newsletter!

Our newsletter reaches 500+ readers every month—and it’s growing fast! We’re proud to continue offering our members free listings for:

• Employment opportunities
• Office space for lease
• Pro bono events

Want to Share More?
Paid advertising is available for professional announcements and legal services, including:

• New hires, office openings
• Retirements, promotions, awards, and recognitions
• Legal services or support offerings

The 22nd JDC Bar Association invites submissions for monthly listings in our newsletter which is also posted to the website. Rates are $50/month for members and $80/month for non members. Listings must be no more than 1000 characters, submitted in Word format via email to Executive Director Reina Gardner. No photographs or graphics will be accepted. Submissions are due by the 15th of each month for inclusion in the following month’s publication. Space is limited, and all listings will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.

Ready to Be Featured?
Reach out to Reina Gardner to submit your listing or ask questions. We’re excited to help you share your news with our vibrant legal community!

LOOKING FOR OUR JANUARY SUPER HERO SPONSOR

It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s a Bar Association Superhero!

Be our Hero and help us fight off the villain of inflation and keep our CLE prices steady!

For just $400, your Law Firm, Legal Services, or Support Organization can sponsor a ZEA Lunch CLE and:

• Protect affordable access to education
• Earn professional recognition among our members
• Unlock top-secret SWAG (yes, really!)

Your sponsorship powers go a long way — and they come with gratitude, visibility, and a dash of heroic flair.

Ready to suit up?

Contact Reina Gardner to claim sponsorship of our January or February ZEA CLE!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!

Dear Members of the Bar:

The 22nd Judicial District Court is seeking someone to fill the Administrative Assistant position to assist the Hearing officers. The position has been posted to our website: https://online.22ndjdc.org/employment-opportunities.

Thank you,
Amber Mitchell
Court Administrator
22nd Judicial District Court

Seale & Ross, PLC seeks litigator in 21st or 22nd JDC for Hammond and Madisonville offices. $100,000 book of business preferred but not required. Ten years civil litigation experience preferred. Contact 985-542-8500, Lesli Bolner at lbolner@sealeross.com or Ken Ross at kenross@sealeross.com. All submissions will be kept confidential.

…And To All A Good Night!!

Michael Nicaud, President michael.nicaud@hornbeckoffshore.com
Amanda Trosclair, Vice President atrosclair@stpgov.org
Luke Lancaster, Treasurer lmlancaster@22da.com
Reina Gardner, Executive Director reina@22ndjdcbar.org