June 2026 Newsletter
June 1, 2026
FUN FACT:
The Attorney Directory on the 22nd JDC Bar Association Website has been viewed 2,881 times since January 1.
If your membership isn’t current or your info is outdated, clients may be finding everyone except you.
Let’s fix that. Contact Reina at reina@22ndjdcbar.org.
2026… six months in, and six more months of outstanding programming ahead!
A big thank you to Candy Bellau for her powerful CLE on Fraud—what an eye opening and timely session. If you attended and would like a copy of the PowerPoint, please email Reina and she will be happy to send it to you.
Inside this newsletter, you’ll find registration links for the June, July, and August Lunchtime CLEs at ZEA. Seats are filling quickly for these excellent midday sessions, so be sure to register early. • June with Judge Gardner — Professionalism (approved) • July with Kathleen Legendre — Family Law (approved) • August with Mercedes Townsend — Ethics (pending). We promised exceptional programming in 2026, and we are delivering!
Bring Your Kid to Court Day is back! Think of it as a behind the scenes adventure where your child(ren) get to see what you do when you’re not reminding them to pick up their shoes. Snag your spots—they go faster than snacks at a soccer game.
Now for the BIG NEWS… we’re shaking things up! The November All Day CLE on November 13 will look a little different this year. We’re moving to The Greenwood on LA 25, and the morning will feature six CLE options—three one hour general sessions and three one hour criminal law sessions. You’ll be able to choose the combination that best fits your needs. The afternoon will include three additional hours, including Professionalism and Ethics. We’ve got a stellar cast of speakers lined up… but that big reveal is coming in the next newsletter. Keep your eyes peeled—it’s worth the wait!
Finally, if you haven’t renewed your membership for 2026, now is the perfect time. Members save $100 on All Day CLE registration and enjoy a full year of benefits.
Read on for details, links, and even more opportunities coming your way!
JUNE 19, 2026 — ZEA Lunchtime CLE
Co-Presented by: Honorable Scott Gardner, 22nd Judicial District Court
and Julie Melancon, Training & Development Director, St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide
Program Title: “First Aid For Lawyers: Professionalism, Mental Health, and Tough Moments In Practice”
Addressing the challenges lawyers face both personally and professionally, participants will learn:
• What truly matters in this profession: relationships and reputation
• How intentional, thoughtful communication practices lead to better outcomes
• The emotional and ethical challenges lawyers face — and how to navigate them with integrity
• How to maintain connections, reduce isolation, and support colleagues
• Practical strategies for stress management and self care
• How to recognize when someone needs help — and how to respond with confidence and compassion
• Key risk factors and warning signs of suicide
This session is designed to help attorneys reconnect with their purpose, rediscover pride in their calling, and strengthen the professional community we share.
Let’s restore your faith in law and our calling.
Approved for 1 hour of Professionalism
Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
Menu choices: Red Beans and Rice with Grilled Chicken or Vegetarian Hummus Platter
JULY 17, 2026 — ZEA Lunchtime CLE
Presenter: Kathleen Legendre, Esq.
Program Title: “The Thin Line- How Courts Determine When a Parent has Forfeited Their Rights to Their Children”
Supervised visitation is an albatross for any family. Practitioners need a clear game plan when arguing for unsupervised physical custody. But what is the legal standard for supervised physical custody? Is it a “best interest of the child” or is it “fitness of the parent”, i.e. substantial harm caused? If a client is careening towards a considered decree and an intervention on the parent/child relationship by the Court is feasible, why is this not a constitutional violation?
This CLE program delves deeper into this legal quagmire on a local and national level. Topics shall include:
• United States and Louisiana Custody Review
• Systems Review (Juvenile Trial Court v. District Court)
• Which is it? Fitness or BIOC?
Approved for 1 hour of Family Law Credit
Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
Menu choices: Chicken Panini or House Salad
August 21, 2026 — ZEA Lunchtime CLE
Presenter: Mercedes Townsend, Esq.
Program Title: “The Ethical Algorithm: Legal Ethics in Advanced Technology”
The digital era has fundamentally reshaped the practice of law and, with it, the ethical obligations attorneys must meet every day. This CLE highlights the intersection of professional responsibility and rapidly evolving technology, focusing on practical guidance attorneys can immediately apply.
Topics include the duty of technological competence under the Rules of Professional Conduct, ethical risks to consider when using generative AI, proper safeguarding of client data in cloud-based and remote work environments, cybersecurity obligations and breach response, and the responsible use of AI tools in drafting, research, and client communication.
Pending approval for 1 hour of Ethics credit
Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
Menu choices: Rotisserie Beef or Vegetarian Alfredo
A free CLE offered by our friends at SLLS Northshore Pro Bono Project
Bring Your Kid To Court Day
Friday, July 24, 2026
Registration Is Open!
It’s back, and if you missed it last year, you won’t want to miss it again!
Attorneys are invited to bring and accompany their child(ren) or family member between the ages of 6-18, to spend the morning at the Justice Center in Covington.
Children in the 6-10 year old group and their chaperone need to arrive at 8:45am. The day will include, among other activities, a courtroom visit, Q&A with Judge(s), a tour of the KidSense Room and a Kid-Friendly Mock Trial.
11-18 year olds and those accompanying them need to arrive at 8:00 am to observe traffic court, visit one of the courtrooms and the Judge(s), and tour secured behind – the – scenes areas as well as the elections area.
…And we have a few other surprises too!
We will wrap up with lunch and the day will be completed at noon.
The cost is $15 per person (per child and per adult)
All children must be accompanied by you or an adult family member/other responsible adult throughout the entire morning.
Limited reservations- we can only accept 15 youth in each age group
Register NowIf you don’t have a child to bring but want in on the fun, we can use your help!
We need:
· Sponsorships of $100 or more that will help keep costs low for participants (giving you recognition on our website, and our undying gratitude)
· Donations of small toys, “fidgets”, your promotional items, etc. for SWAG bags
· Volunteers to be group leaders
· More volunteers to participate in the mock trial
Let Kristen Stanley-Wallace, our official Courtroom Kids Coordinator, know you want to help!
Email Kristen
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION!
The 22nd Judicial District Public Defender’s Office is seeking a dedicated and motivated attorney to join our team in representing indigent clients in the St. Tammany Parish District Court and/or Washington Parish District Court in felony criminal matters. This position requires strong courtroom advocacy, sound legal judgment, compassion for clients navigating difficult situations and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Job duties include:
- Representing clients at all stages of criminal proceedings in felony and misdemeanor matters.
- Conducting legal research and drafting motions, memoranda and other pleadings as needed.
- Maintaining regular contact with clients, including incarcerated individuals
- Negotiating with prosecutors and advocating for fair resolutions
- Maintaining accurate and timely case documentation including jail visits and client contacts
- Upholding ethical obligations and constitutional standards of representation
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
- Licensed to practice law in Louisiana
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to manage a substantial caseload efficiently
- Trial experience preferred, but not required.
Salary is commensurate with experience. Full-Time attorneys are eligible for benefits. If interested, please send your resume to jcarrington@northshoredefenders.org.
Family law professionals often spend significant time gathering and organizing fragmented client communications. OurFamilyWizard is a court-recognized co-parenting platform that centralizes messaging, scheduling, expenses, and activity into one secure system of record.
Messages are timestamped and cannot be edited or deleted, creating reliable, court-admissible documentation. With client permission, attorneys can access accounts directly through a Professional Account, review interactions in real time, and generate organized reports by date or topic, reducing time spent on discovery and trial prep.
Built-in tools like shared calendars and expense tracking further limit unnecessary disputes. By improving documentation and reducing back-and-forth, OurFamilyWizard helps attorneys work more efficiently while supporting clearer, more accountable co-parent communication.
To learn more about how OurFamilyWizard can support your practice, schedule a tutorial with your local liaison, Andrea Manrique.
BOOK A TUTORIAL
Amanda Trosclair, President atrosclair@stpgov.org
Luke Lancaster, Vice President lmlancaster@22da.com
Kimberly DeBrock, Treasurer kimberly.debrock.dcfs@la.gov
Reina Gardner, Executive Director reina@22ndjdcbar.org