Upcoming Programs & CLEs
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A Peek Behind the Curtain at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals: The Clerk and Circuit Judges Explain the Court's Procedures and Preferences
A Peek Behind the Curtain at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals: The Clerk and Circuit Judges Explain the Court's Procedures and Preferences
This event is being co-sponsored by the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit.
This two-hour CLE program will address aspects of appellate practice at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In the first hour, Clerk of Court Lyle W. Cayce will offer attendees a view behind the curtain.
His presentation will address the lifecycle of a Fifth Circuit appeal, the allotment of cases and handling of ancillary motions, and the resources the clerk’s office offers for helping lawyers comply with court rules. Mr. Cayce will also present up-to-date statistics on case outcomes and outline the court’s mediation program.
In the second hour, a panel of three U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judges (names to be announced closer to the event) will participate in a panel discussion.
The panel will address some pre-selected topics on appellate advocacy, with a specific focus on best practices in brief writing and oral argument.
Reception to follow in the Fifth Circuit Great Hall
Approved for 2 hours of CLE Credit or 2 hours of Appellate Practice Law CLE Credit
Bench & Bar Save the Date
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is hosting the Eastern District of Louisiana Triennial.
Federal Judicial Law Clerk Comittee
The Federal Judicial Law Clerk (FJLC) committee is open to all current or former federal law clerks (whether for bankruptcy, magistrate, district, or appellate courts).
Summer Seminar CLE
Summer Seminar CLE
Join the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on Friday, July 17, 2026 for a day of continuing legal education on recent developments in federal criminal law.
Hosted at the Offices of Jones Walker, 201 St. Charles Avenue, 51st Floor, New Orleans
This event is co-sponsored by the Women's White Collar Defense Association.
Speakers will explore recent developments in the law with an eye on defending clients in federal criminal cases. This 7 hour CLE including 1 hour of Professionalism and 1 hour of Ethics is free for Government Attorneys, Federal Public Defenders, CJA Panel Attorneys, and FBA members. WWCDA members are offered a reduced price ticket. Nonmembers are welcome for a small fee.
Please allow sufficient time for parking. Lunch and refreshments provided.
8:00 to 8:30am— Registration
Check in at the reception desk on the 51st floor.
8:30 - 9:30am— What's New in the 2026 Sentencing Guidelines presented by Jessica Collins (USSC)
Ms. Collins will discuss recent cases related to federal sentencing as well as focusing on Guideline Amendments and related topics.
9:30 - 10:30am— The BOP: A Deeper Dive presented by Jack Donson, Executive Director of the Federal Prison Education & Reform Alliance – PERA and Paul Gibson, Chief Operating Officer of PERA
This session will include practice tips regarding mitigation and proactively managing the presentence investigation for better outcomes. It will also provide an insider's perspective on classification, designation, BOP programs and the First Step Act. Jack and Paul have worked in various prison environments from pre-trial operations to penitentiaries. All BOP issues can be addressed and they will be available for Q & A during the breaks throughout the day.
10:30 - 10:45am— Break
10:45 - 11:45am— Ethics Issues in IAC Claims presented by Professor Tigran W. Eldred, Senior Lecturer at Boston University School of Law
This session will consider ethical issues that arise in claims for ineffective assistance of counsel. These include duties owed by the lawyer who was allegedly ineffective (“former counsel”), such as the duty to cooperate with the former client’s new lawyer (“successor counsel”); the duty to provide the former client’s file to successor counsel; the duty to convey information not contained in the former client’s file to successor counsel; and the scope of the duty of confidentiality owed to the former client. Practical ways for successor counsel to navigate the relationship with former counsel will also be addressed.
11:45 - 12:15pm— Lunch provided by the Federal Bar Association
12:15 - 1:15pm — What’s new in the Fifth Circuit? Firearms, search warrants, and more presented by Steven Spires of the Federal Public Defender’s Office
This session will cover recent developments in Fifth Circuit law concerning firearms offenses and constitutional challenges to firearm possession prosecutions. Mr. Spires will also give a brief refresher on search and seizure litigation, review recent victories, and address the Supreme Court's Chatrie decision concerning geofence warrants.
1:15 - 2:15pm— Professionalism: A (Retired) Judge’s View on What Works and What Doesn’t presented by retired federal Judge Stanwood Duval
This professionalism hour will feature retired federal Judge Stanwood Duval sharing candid insights and opinions on effective advocacy in federal criminal cases. Drawing from his years on the federal bench, Judge Duval will discuss what works and what doesn’t in everything from trial and motions practice to sentencing advocacy. He will also discuss thoughts on tactics for successful plea negotiations based on his years as a mediator and arbitrator after he left the federal bench. The discussion will be moderated by Sara Johnson, but questions from the audience will be encouraged.
2:15 - 2:30pm— Break
2:30 - 3:30pm— Thinking — We mean Really Thinking — About Plea Agreements and Factual Bases presented by Attorneys Stephen Haedicke and James Washington
It’s probably the case that most federal criminal practitioners haven’t stopped and really thought about plea agreements and factual bases in some time. We often argue about various aspects of the documents presented to us by the government, but there is typically a lot of unspoken and unexamined agreement about the typical forms. This presentation—which will hopefully evolve into a group discussion and brainstorming session—will try to identify and expose those examined assumptions about the plea agreement process. Going back to first principles (e.g. Rule 11), we will discuss what the law actually requires for plea agreements and factual bases, and contrast that with the usual practices in the federal courts of Louisiana. We will provide some thoughts about pleading with and without agreements, and brainstorm how we might push back on the government’s position on the terms of any agreements and the drafting of the factual basis.
3:30 - 4:30pm — FBI Investigations, Records and Files for Defense Attorneys presented by Mike Zummer with Empower Oversight
This one-hour CLE will focus on the FBI investigative process, specifically how it organizes its files so that attorneys, particularly criminal defense attorneys, will know how to ensure the FBI has turned over all required evidence in discovery. The CLE will cover the following specific topics: 1. What basis the FBI has to open certain investigations and what investigative authorities it has for different types of investigations. 2. How the FBI organizes its investigative files and the different types of documents maintained in them. 3. The FBI’s computerized central records system and other electronic records it maintains. 4. The FBI’s methods to search for records in its system and how different entities within the FBI will respond to criminal discovery, civil discovery, and Freedom of Information Act requests. 5. The FBI’s ability to restrict and prohibit access to records in its computerized system. 6. Common problems in criminal discovery and how to address them. 7. Other means of obtaining FBI records and the challenges with them. 8. The FBI’s use of classified information and how that may arise in criminal cases.
Lunch with the Court
Lunch with the Court with U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. The lunch, which is arranged by the Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association, is open to FBA members at no cost. Guests are welcome for a small fee. The Lunch with the Court program is an excellent opportunity to meet federal practitioners, socialize with other attorneys, and gain valuable insights and perspectives from a member of the federal bench.
This event is designed to be small to promote open conversation between our guest judge and participants. Space is limited. If the event is sold out, you can join the waitlist by emailing nofbarsvp@gmail.com.
Award Nominations for the New Orleans Chapter (Copy)
The Dawn Barrios Leadership Program is a new program offered by the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. It provides newer attorneys an opportunity to develop their organizational and leadership skills while building relationships with other area attorneys and learning about the Federal Bar Association and our New Orleans Chapter.
Special Program: From Jailhouse Lawyer to Clerk of Court
The New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and its Justice Camp program invite you to attend its special programming. Calvin Duncan will recount his journey from being a defendant to graduating from law school and the role played by jailhouse attorneys. 1 CLE Credit.
Cocktails with the Court
Cocktails with the Court is a great opportunity that brings together the bench and bar in our community.
Morning at the Federal Courthouse
Join the Younger Lawyers Division as they host Morning at the Federal Courthouse. Court observation & CLEs are offered.
Award Nominations for the New Orleans Chapter
Award Nominations for the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Annual Awards are Now Open
The awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting on August 17, 2026. Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026. Follow the link for submission instructions.
Lunch with the Court with Judge Greg Guidry
Lunch with the Court with U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Judge Greg Guidry is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. The lunch, which is arranged by the Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association, is open to FBA members at no cost. Guests are welcome for a small fee.
AI and Ethics for Lawyers
An in-depth conversation on timely topics related to Artificial Intelligence. Focusing on issues for attorneys and the courts.
This two hour CLE with a reception to follow is going to address timely topics related to Artificial Intelligence.
Cocktails and Career Conversations
Join us as we hear from our esteemed guests: Christy Kane (Pro Bono Counsel at Entergy Services, LLC), CC Kahr (Executive Director at The Pro Bono Project), and Chloé Chetta (Member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C.) answer the questions about how to approach Pro Bono work.
Membership Appreciation Crawfish Boil
The New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is hosting a crawfish boil for our members as our way of saying thank you for your support of our organization.
Justice Camp
Justice Camp Application due date. The 2026 Justice Camp will be held from Monday, June 22, 2026 through Friday, June 26, 2026. Applications due April 1.
Evening with the FBA
Join the New Orleans Federal Bar Association for a night of fun at the Pelicans game! Join us from 5:00-6:00pm for a Pregame Happy Hour in our Hennessey Lounge!
Women's History Month Presentation
Please join us on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for our FREE Women's History Month CLE presentation - "That All Men Are Created Equal" but what about the women?
Louisiana's Post-Voting Rights Acts Advancements and Ongoing Struggles
In celebration of African American History Month, the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society presents: Louisiana's Post-Voting Rights Acts Advancements and Ongoing Struggles.
This CLE will be hosted from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Lunch with the Court with U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Carl Stewart
Lunch with the Court with U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Carl Stewart is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. The lunch, which is arranged by the Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association, is open to FBA members at no cost.
Cocktails with the Court
The Federal Bar Association invites you to Cocktails with the Court on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at The Eliza Jane.
FBA Annual Toy Drive
It’s time for the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association in supporting The Court Family Holiday Toy Drive. Gifts must be received by December 10.
FBA Holiday Party
The Federal Bar Association New Orleans Chapter cordially invites you to join us for a holiday celebration. Come visit with fellow bar members and our federal bench as we toast the year that was and the promise of the year ahead.
Malcolm Monroe Federal Practice Series CLE & Swearing In Ceremony
Federal Practice Seminar & Swearing In Ceremony. Advanced Registration Required. Earn 4 hours of CLE credit. The deadline to submit your packet for the Swearing-In Ceremony is Friday, November 14, 2025Complimentary Holiday Party to Follow!
34th Annual Judge Alvin B. Rubin Symposium
Please join the Eastern District of Louisiana and the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for the Annual Alvin B. Rubin Symposium: A Night at the (Courthouse) Theater: A play reenacting and reflecting on Fred Korematsu and his Fight for Justice.
Approved for 1 Hour of Professionalism and 1 Hour of Ethics CLE Credit.
FBA - Bankrutcy Symposium
A CLE Presentation Comparing and Contrasting the Handling of Mass Torts Through Multidistrict Litigation and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings
Duration: 3.25 hours with 15-minute intermission
Panel: Things I Wish I Had Known: Tips for First Generation Lawyers
The panel will discuss relevant issues faced by attorneys with insight learned through their own experiences as first-generation lawyers.
This event is geared to law school students, but also offers 1 hour of Professionalism CLE credit.
Federal Judges Reception
We hope you will join us for your annual tribute honoring the federal judiciary's contribution to our community. In honor of the Judges of the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Judges of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, & our Louisiana Supreme Court Justices. Tickets from $35 (students) to $75 (Individuals).
Career Speed Dating for Law Student Members
Join us for our inaugural Career Speed Dating Event. Come visit in a roundtable fashion with attorneys in the practice areas of Admiralty, Commercial Litigation, Criminal, Personal Injury, and Transactional.
Federal/State CLE Gumbo on the Northshore
Don't miss this one-of-a-kind CLE gumbo on the Northshore! Seasoned judges. Spicy topics. No roux required. Our sessions will "serve up" insightful comments as well as interesting discussions.
FBA Membership Appreciation Event for our Law School Members
The New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association invites all of our law student members from Loyola University College of Law and Tulane University School of Law to join us for an evening of networking, celebration, and thanks. This event is complimentary to all FBA Law School members. Cocktails and light bites provided.
Meet the New Chief Judges
A unique opportunity to spend time with Chief Judges Elrod, Vitter, and van Meerveld. Approved for 1 Hour of CLE credit.