May 2026 Newsletter
May 1, 2026
Thank you to the Northshore Court Foundation and the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce for co sponsoring Meet the Judges on April 23 and helping us bring our legal community together. We are grateful to the Justice Center administrators and their hardworking staff and crew for providing behind the scenes support, organization, set up, and hospitality that made the event possible. And to our judges — thank you for your thoughtful presentations, your insight, and, even more importantly, for the extraordinary work you do every day. We appreciate you more than we can say.
A round of applause, please, for Alison Bondurant and her very informative CLE “Attorney’s Guide to Smarter Small Business Planning”. Her presentation was packed with practical guidance and her handout and reference materials were very comprehensive. Thank you, Alison!
Moving on to May…
MAY 15, 2026 — ZEA Lunchtime CLE
Presenter: Candy Bellau, CFE, PI
Program Title: “When the Numbers Don’t Add Up: What Every Legal Professional Needs to Know About Fraud”. Practical tools every legal professional needs to spot it, stop it, and protect themselves.
Candy Bellau is a Certified Fraud Examiner and licensed Private Investigator who has spent more than 25 years in the trenches of accounting, consulting, and fraud investigation, as well as writing, speaking, and developing educational content designed to change how accounting professionals think about risk. And she’ll be the first to tell you that fraud has a knack for finding her!
In this session, she will talk about what fraud actually looks like inside a law firm. Not the headline-grabbing, Hollywood version — the quiet, everyday version that hides in your trust accounts, your billing processes, and your financial reports. You’ll look at three real stories from legal practice that illustrate just how easily things can go sideways, how long they can go undetected, and what could have stopped them.
Along the way, you’ll be introduced to two frameworks that will change how you look at your firm’s finances: the Fraud Triangle — the three conditions that have to exist for fraud to occur — and the Three C’s: Controls, Culture, and Compensation.
You’ll also spend time on something most fraud presentations skip entirely: the human element. Understanding why good people make bad choices is often the key to making sure it doesn’t happen in your firm.
You’ll leave with practical tools you can actually use, low-cost habits that make a real difference. Think of it as protecting what you’ve built, without turning your firm into a surveillance state.
Approval for 1 hour of Ethics
Doors open at noon, lunch service begins at 12:15, CLE from 12:30-1:30.
Menu choices: Rotisserie Beef or Vegetarian Kung Pao Cauliflower
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.
Pending approval 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?
Pending approval 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
Got kids? Save the date!
Bring Your Kid To Court Day
Friday, July 24, 2026
If you have a child between the ages of 6-18, this is for you!
Courtroom visits, Q & A with judges, Justice Center tour,
lunch and more-
what a great way to spend time with your child…
More info to come!
The 22nd JDC Bar Association offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of David Sirera.
We recognize the profound impact of his loss and join the community in honoring his memory. As those closest to him navigate this difficult time, we hope they find strength in the support of loved ones and solace in the lasting imprint he leaves behind.
Our thoughts are with all who mourn his passing.
OFFICE SPACE & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
Dear Members of the Bar:
The 22nd Judicial District Court is re-posting the Hearing Officer position to adjust the salary amount and provide an application closure date. Please access through the Court’s website: https://online.22ndjdc.org/employment-opportunities.
Thank you,
Amber Mitchell
Court Administrator
22nd Judicial District Court
Law office space for rent in Arbor Walk Professional Center on Highway 21, just south of I-12 in Madisonville, Louisiana. This established law office location is perfect for a St. Tammany attorney or as a Northshore office for a Metairie/New Orleans attorney or law firm. The office includes a private parking lot. Rent covers one attorney office, a desk, a hutch, matching wooden file cabinets, a good storage area, use of a large conference room, utilities (except telephone), and access to the kitchen. A great location and a beautiful office. Call Kerry at 985-800-0910 to schedule a viewing.
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