November All Day General Topics and Criminal Law CLE

Friday, November 13, 2026
The Greenwood
75082 LA-25, Covington, LA 70435 Covington, Louisiana 70433
Map/Directions

Cost:
$225 (member) – $325 (non-member) Early Bird (October 1-9, 2026)
$275 (member) – $400 (non-member) Regular Rate

GENERAL CLE TOPICS

9:00-10:00
Hon. Scott U. Schlegel, Judge, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal
AI And The Justice System: Shaping Tomorrow’s Legal Landscape
This presentation will explore how artificial intelligence is changing the courts and the work of judges. We will consider whether and how judges should use generative AI, where these tools can assist judicial work, and where important limits should remain. We will also examine how AI is changing the cases coming before the courts, including its impact on discovery, the authenticity and reliability of evidence, courtroom behavior, and emerging technologies such as AI-enabled wearables. Finally, we will discuss deepfakes and other synthetic evidence, the challenges they create for authentication and fact-finding, and the practical steps courts should consider as it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish what is real from what is artificially generated.

10:00-11:00
Jessica Brewster, Clerk of Court
St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court: Office Updates, Legal Developments and Court Division Overview
This presentation will provide an overview of recent updates within the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, including operational improvements, technology enhancements, and procedural changes relevant to practicing attorneys. It will also cover current legal updates that impact filings, court operations, and administrative processes. In addition, attendees will receive a structured review of the 22nd Judicial District Court divisions, highlighting any changes, trends, or points of interest that may assist attorneys in navigating the court system more effectively.

11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

11:15-12:15
John Lindner, Esq.
Criminal Law for Civil Attorneys
Sooner or later, all civil attorneys are consulted concerning a criminal matter. Many times, it will involve your client, client’s family member, or a friend. This presentation provides the civil attorney with a basic outline of criminal procedure. Topics include getting bail set for your client, initial appearances, meeting with the District Attorney, and alternatives for your client that can avoid a criminal conviction. The CLE will also discuss Juvenile Court procedure.

CRIMINAL LAW CLEs

9:00-10:00
Cameron Mary, Esq.
Voir Dire is fun, and other lies.
It has been said that cases are won and lost in jury selection. It is true. Voir Dire can be intimidating but doesn’t have to be—it can be fun, if you look at it as the opportunity that it is. This hour will explore the ground rules of jury selection in both civil and criminal cases, methods, tips, tricks and considerations of this most important aspect of jury trials. Hopefully, this hour can help assuage any lingering fears or doubts you may have about the process.

10:00-11:00
Jay Carrington, Chief Public Defender, 22nd Judicial District
Cross-Examination: Modern Techniques for Trial Lawyers
Cross-examination should advance your narrative, not just defend against the witness’s direct. Using the chapter method, this course covers how to break cross-examinations into clear, goal-driven segments that support your theory of the case. Topics include drafting effective leading questions, sequencing, managing difficult or hostile witnesses, and executing clean impeachments. Attendees will gain a repeatable, controlled framework for telling a compelling story to the jury.

11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

11:15-12:15
Judge-Elect Blair Alford
22nd Judicial District Court
John Alford
Attorney at Law
Evidence, Hearsay, and Impeachment

12:15-1:00 LUNCH PROVIDED

AFTERNOON CLEs

1:00-2:00
Clare Roubion, Esq.
Legal Ethics: What Changed, What Matters, What’s Next
(Ethics – Pending Approval)
A practical look at the developments reshaping legal ethics and professional responsibility. This fast-moving session covers significant disciplinary decisions, new advisory opinions, conflicts and malpractice issues, developments in law-firm practice, and the growing impact of AI and other technology on lawyers’ professional obligations. More than a recap of new cases and rules, the program focuses on what these developments mean in practice—and the lessons lawyers can use to spot problems earlier, manage risk, and make better decisions in their day-to-day practice.

2:00-3:00
Elizabeth Sconzert, Esq. and Tara Smith, Esq.
Professionalism as Leadership: What Women-Led Firms Can Teach the Profession About Building Trust
(Professionalism – Pending Approval)
Early leadership decisions play a defining role in shaping a firm’s professional identity. This hour explores how leaders can build workplaces where lawyers and staff can raise concerns, ask questions, and correct mistakes early. We will examine mentorship, sponsorship, delegation, and feedback as essential professionalism infrastructure. The discussion also highlights the relationship among leadership, supervision, client service, and public trust. Finally, attendees will gain practical lessons from the experience of starting a women led firm in a close knit Louisiana legal community.

3:00-3:15 Afternoon Break

3:15-4:15
Michael DeShazo, Esq.
Recent Legislative Developments in Civil Procedure/Litigation
The seminar will cover recent legislative developments in Louisiana. There will be a particular emphasis on civil procedure and litigation-related topics. Specific topics will include major changes to Louisiana’s comparative fault system, changes in prescriptive periods applicable to torts, and revisions to the Louisiana Direct Action statute.

Registration is essential to prepare for food and CLE materials, so please submit your application as early as possible.

Cost:

Members of the 22nd JDC Bar Association
$225.00 October 1-October 9, 2026
$275.00 beginning October 10, 2026

Non-Member fee
$325.00 October 1-9, 2026
$400.00 beginning October 10, 2026

Sorry, No Refunds after October 30, 2026