On Tuesday, July 12,
2011, the Louis A. Martinet Foundation held a
pro bono legal seminar at the Leo S. Butler
Center. The program was presented in two parts.
The first part of the program focused on banking
related issues that citizens deal with daily.
The second part of the program centered on
consumer related issues. The speakers for this
event were Lisa Beatty, a Branch Manager with
Capital One Bank, and Sanettria Pleasant, the
Director of the Public Protection Division of
the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
Louis A. Martinet Bar Preparation Scholarships
Law Students,Rolando
Urbina and Corrie Gallien, were the recipients
of the Louis A. Martinet Bar Preparation
Scholarships. The students were presented with
the award, on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at Bistro
Bryonz, during a luncheon hosted by the
organization. Present were both scholarship
recipients, Martinet members (Michael Tyler,
Alejandro Perkins, Christopher Hebert, Leslie
Ricard, and Donna Lee), and student member,
Ricky Thomas.
2011
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS GALA
On April 14, 2011, the Greater Baton Rouge Louis
A. Martinet Legal Society celebrated its Annual
Scholarship and Awards Gala, themed “Remembering
Our Legacy: Building on the Past Focusing on the
Future.” Five scholarship recipients were
celebrated; Antonio D. Townsend (Central High
School), Jammie Garrett (Southern University Law
Center), Allison J. Sabine (Southern University
Law Center), Riean K. Norman (Paul M. Hebert Law
Center), and Eronn A. Putman (Paul M. Hebert Law
Center).
Attorney Dwayne M. Murray, of Murray and Murray,
received the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
Outstanding Community Service Award. Recipients
of the Presidential Vanguard Awards were
Honorable, Judge Wilson E. Fields, Monique
Edwards, Esq., Domoine Rutledge, Esq., and
DeCuir, Clark & Adams, LLP.
The following 2011-2012 officers were sworn in
by the Honorable, Judge Wilson Fields: Michael
Tyler (President), Christopher Hebert (1st Vice
President), Leticia Jackson-Mabry (2nd Vice
President), Leslie Ricard (Treasurer) and Donna
M. Lee (Secretary).
Representative Patricia Smith was the guest
speaker.
mock
trials by the Links' Rosebud Group
On May 2, 2011, the
Louis A. Martinet Legal Society participated in
the mock trials that were conducted by the
Links' Rosebud Group from Audubon Elementary
School. The event was hosted by Judge Lisa
Woodruff-White.
LOUISIANA JUDICIAL COUNCIL
On March 10, 2011,
the Louisiana Judicial Council, in conjunction
with the Statewide Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society and National Bar Association’s Region 5,
began the 13th Annual Louisiana
Judicial Council, Meeting and Continuing
Legal Education Seminar.
Judges and lawyers
from around the state, gathered in New Orleans,
La to “LOOK BACK at the case of Clark v.
Edwards and MOVE FORWARD to the
redistricting that would impact the African
American community in so many ways.”
SUPPORT OUR SOUTHERN RALLY AND CONVOCATION
“PRESERVE OUR HISTORY…PROTECT OUR FUTURE.”
Southern University
Law Center hosted “Support Our Southern”
Convocation and Rally on March 30, 2011 at the
Law Center’s Atrium. Louis A. Martinet, Greater
Baton Rouge Chapter co-sponsored the event.
Speakers included
System President Ronald Mason, Jr. and Law
Center Chancellor, Freddie Pitcher, Jr.
SULC administrators,
faculty, staff, and students gathered at the
break of politically proposed efforts to
consolidate Southern University at New Orleans
with the University of New Orleans.
MARSHALL-BRENNAN PROJECT SUMMIT
The SULC Chapter of
the Marshall-Brennan Project, along with the
Greater Baton Chapter of Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society, hosted the 2011 National
Marshall-Brennan Summit, January 21-22, 2011.
Professors and
participants, from across the United States,
gathered to discuss the benefits of the project
and fundraising efforts to support it’s major
programs.
Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society and SULC opened the summit,
welcoming guest, with a “Taste of Louisiana”
reception held on Friday, January 21, 2011.
SWAG on…
The Greater Baton
Rouge Louis A. Martinet Legal Society joined the
ladies of Nu Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Baton Rouge BREC North
Sherwood Forest Facilities (Marcus Lemon,
Assistant Area Supervisor) on January 15, 2011,
to present Youth Oasis, Come Get Your SWAG
(Succeed While Achieving Greatness) on…
2011
Mini Diversity Conclave
The Greater Baton
Rouge Chapter of Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society, partnered with the Louisiana State Bar
Association, and the Baton Rouge Bar Association
to host the 2011 Mini Diversity Conclave, on
Wednesday, January 26th. The
Conclave was hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel
in Baton Rouge, La, with approximately 150
lawyers, along with judges, in attendance.
South Baton Rouge
Parade
On December 18, 2010, members of Martinet
trailed through the historic area of South Baton
Rouge, as they partook in the South Baton Rouge
Annual Parade. The event is annually sponsored
by Representative Pat Smith & Councilwoman
Tara Wicker. This is Martinet’s second year
participating in the parade.
Christmas Social
On December 15, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet
Foundation hosted its Fourth Annual Toy
Drive/Christmas Social. The event was held at
The Office Bar on Third Street with DJ Triz-A
providing music. Over 100 members were in
attendance to enjoy the festivities. Due to the
support of our members we were able to collect
over 125 toys to assist with the toy drive held
by the Leo Butler Community Center.
Oaks at Mid City Thanksgiving
Martinet’s Community Outreach Committee visited
the residents of Oaks at Mid City Nursing Home
on November 22, 2010 to spread a little holiday
cheer. The Committee, chaired by Sharon
Williams, distributed gifts from slippers to
handheld radios to the residents and joined the
residents is a Thanksgiving feast. This is
Martinet’s second year hosting and sponsoring
this event.
Annual Softball
Tournament
The Louis Martinet
Legal Society participated in this years Baton
Rouge Bar Association’s Annual Softball
Tournament, held at BREC Highland Road Park.
The team weathered the hot temperatures and
played two games. The first, against the Long
Law Firm on Friday, August 20th and
the second against Taylor Wells Law Firm on
Saturday, August 21st. Although the
team did not win the tournament’s trophy, they
had a fun time trying.
Team members
consisted of: Jarvis Antwine, Tedrick
Knightshead, Ashley Darville, Eboni Townsend,
Victor Suane, Stephen Sterling, Patrick Joseph,
Chris Hebert, Donna Lee, Dele Adebamiji, Sharon
Williams, and Michael Tyler.
Statewide Louis
A. Martinet Welcome Celebration
The Louis A. Martinet Legal Societies of
Louisiana and James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, La
Attorney General, hosted a Welcome To New
Orleans Celebration, kicking off the 85th
National Bar Association Convention. The
Celebration was held on Monday, August 9, 2010,
at Voila in New Orleans, Louisiana. NBA
members, Martinet members and visitors let their
hair down and enjoyed a night of delectable
cuisines, plenty of spirits and New Orleans
music.
NBA Welcome to
New Orleans Reception
Baton Rouge Martinet members joined the Greater
New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society as
the National Bar Association celebrated 85 years
in the Big Easy.
The Welcome Reception was held at the
prestigious Louisiana Supreme Court Monday
night, August 9, 2010. Remarks were provided by
NBA President, Mavis Thompson, Louisiana
Attorney General, James D. "Buddy" Caldwell and
Co-Chairs of the NBA 2010 Host Committee,
Sharonda Williams and Cherrell Simms. Guests
enjoyed the sweet sounds of local jazz artist
and New Orleans famous cuisines.
NBA 85th Annual Convention & Exhibits
The National Bar Association hosted its 85th
Annual Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans,
Louisiana, August 9-13, 2010 at the Marriott
Hotel. The Baton Rouge Martinet Chapter
received the NBA Outstanding Affiliate
Chapter of the Year Award during the Plenary
Session Monday, August 9, 2010. Martinet
members enjoyed networking with NBA members from
across the country while participating in
continuing legal education seminars and various
forums. Baton Rouge Martinet joined with other
Region V Affiliate Chapters in hosting a Welcome
Reception and Luncheon on Monday and
Wednesday during the Convention. Eboni
Townsend, current Martinet First Vice President
was re-elected Deputy Director for Region V.
Back to School Rally
On August 3, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society, along with Council Women Tara Wicker
and Louisiana Representative Patricia Smith,
co-sponsored a Back-To-School Drive at Leo S.
Butler Community Center. The purpose of this
health fair was to promote family and community
awareness about healthy living, including
everything from health screening to haircuts.
Over 100 kids attended and received school
supplies. Martinet Members Alejandro Perkins,
Michael Tyler, Karlus Cozart, and Rolando Urbina
were there to lend a helping hand.
SULC Pre-Law
Reception
Several of Southern University Law Center's
incoming students, as well as current students,
attended the Pre-Law Reception hosted by
Louis Martinet Society on July 28, 2010 at the
Buzz Café, located within the building of
McGlynn, Glisson, and Mouton Law Firm. The
reception was held for students participating in
the Southern University Law Center's 2010
Pre-Law Program. The event allowed Pre-Law
Program participants to meet many of the current
Martinet Society members and pose questions
ranging from first year law school expectations
to the actual practice of law after graduation
and bar passage. Several Martinet members
attended the event, taking the time to share
encouraging words and support to the incoming
students, as well as the second and third year
students. The attorneys of McGlynn, Glisson,
and Mouton were also hospitable hosts, providing
tours of their law firm to the participants, as
well as, an explanation of their practice.
CSI - Crime Scene Investigation
Martinet members joined with the Honorable Trudy
M. White, District Attorney Hillar Moore, Tyrus
Thomas, LLC, and the East Baton Rouge Parish
School Board in hosting Crime Scene
Investigations Summer Camp July 13-15, 2010 at
McKinley Middle Magnet School. Area ninth grade
students participated in the three day camp,
which focused on a variety of crime scene
investigative techniques including:
fingerprinting, chain of custody, documentation,
autopsy, trace evidence, DNA, firearms
identification, tool marks, and tire and shoe
impressions. Students also learned about high
tech crimes, teen dating violence and
self-esteem.
LSBA Reception
The Louis A. Martinet Legal Society of Louisiana
hosted a Reception during the LSBA Annual
Meeting on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the San
Destin Golf & Beach Resort. LSBA President Kim
Boyle gave remarks to a standing room only
crowd. Members from the Lafayette, New Orleans,
Baton Rouge and Shreveport Chapters mixed and
mingled with Louisiana judges, law school
professors and attorneys. The Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society of Louisiana received the
President's Award at the LSBA Annual Meeting.
Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala
On April 17, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society celebrated its 15th Annual
Scholarship & Awards Gala, themed “Weaving
our Fabric: Sewing Together the Strands of
Excellence.” The event began with a
greeting from Kim M. Boyle, President of the
Louisiana State Bar Association. Six
scholarship recipients were celebrated: Nelson
Allen, Jr., Jihyun Choi, Erron A. Putman, Kaila
Simmons, Melody Udoinyion, and Freddie Ward.
Russell L. Jones, Associate Vice-Chancellor of
Southern University Law Center, received the
Louis A. Martinet Legal Society Outstanding
Community Service Award. Aside from celebrating
the named scholarship and award recipients, the
Honorable Judge Wilson Fields swore-in the
following 2010-2011 officers: Alejandro Perkins
(President), Eboni Townsend (1st Vice
President), Christopher Hebert (2nd Vice
President), Michael Tyler (Treasurer) and
Leticia Jackson-Mabry (Secretary).
This event was chaired by Eboni M. Townsend,
with Lieutenant General Russel Honoré (retired)
as guest speaker.
Southern
University Law Center's Alumni Round Up
On April 9, 2010, the Greater Baton Rouge
Chapter of Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
participated in the Southern University Law
Center's Alumni Round Up " The Chancellors Golf
Scramble". The tournament was held at Beaver
Creek Golf course. Several SULC alumni and
friends participated in the tournament. This
event is one of the many activities the Martinet
Society particpates in with the Southern
University Law Center.
19th Judicial District Courthouse Construction
On March 24, 2010, members of the Louis A.
Martinet Executive Board were invited to tour
the construction site of the new 19th Judicial
District courthouse. Chief Judge Wilson Fields
and Judge Janice Clark served as the
distinguished tour guides.
Recent Developments in EEOC Law
On March 18, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society along with the Southern University Law
Center Civil Rights Institute and National
Employment Lawyer Association sponsored a
seminar on "Recent
Developments in EEOC Law".
The featured speaker was the Regional Director
of the EEOC, Attorney Keith Hill. The seminar
was held at the Southern University Law Center.
There were over 100 attorneys and law students
in attendance.
Tips and Traps
On March 17, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society hosted a seminar at SULC during Law
Week. The seminar entitled "Tips
and Traps"
addressed topics including interviewing
skills, networking techniques, balancing career
and family and proper dress for the workplace.
The distinguished panel included Elain Patin (Louisiana
Department of Justice), Erin Wilder-Doomes (Phelps
Dunbar) and Corrine Blache (Rodale Parsons).
The seminar was sparked with lively questions
from the facilitator, Attorney Ted James,
Jr. Over 75 law students were in attendance.
Christopher Hebert (2nd Vice President) served
as chairperson for the seminar.
Leo Butler Center
On March 16, 2010, the Louis A. Martinet
Legal Foundation Pro-Bono Program sponsored
speakers from American Gateway Bank to speak
with senior citizens at the Leo Butler Center.
Francis Dufrene (Director) and Lytrel Courtney
(Branch Manager) discussed topics on mortgages,
direct deposits and online banking. Over 50
senior citizens were in attendance. Courtney
King-Humphrey served as chairperson for this
event.
Louisiana
Judicial Council Conference
The Louisiana
Judicial Council Conference was held February 19
to 21 at the Holiday Inn in Monroe, Louisiana.
The Conference was very well attended by judges
as well as many lawyers. The speakers,
presenters and seminar facilitators were
outstanding. The 9.0 hour CLE available to the
participants were well grounded in current
issues in the law. One unique seminar topics was
"Spirituality
and the Legal Profession"
presented by retired Judge Yada Magee of the
Orleans CDC. The Louis A. Martinet Chapters
across the state of Louisiana sponsored
Saturday's luncheon, during which
NBA President Mavis Thompson served as a keynote
speaker.
Winners Announced
in SULC Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy
Project’s Second Annual High School Moot Court
Competition
Students from Scotlandville led
the field of 26 high school students who
participated in the SULC Marshall-Brennan
Constitutional Literacy Project’s Second Annual
High School Moot Court Competition on February
19 and 20.
The overall individual winner of
the competition was Tierra Harrison and the
second-place winner was Camera Whicker, both
from Scotlandville High School. Jasmine Winters
from Belaire High School received the
third-place award and Christian Jones from Glen
Oaks High School received the fourth-place
award. The Glen Oaks High School students earned
the trophy for best school participation.
The preliminary rounds of this
region moot court competition were held at A.A.
Lenoir Hall and featured students from
Scotlandville High School, Glen Oaks High
School, Istrouma High School, and Belaire High
School. The final round of the competition was
held on February 20 at the First Circuit Court
of Appeal.
Annual Joint
Luncheon
On February 4, 2010 the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society (Greater Baton Rouge Chapter) and the
Baton Rouge Bar Association hosted its Annual
Joint Luncheon. Several members from both
organizations joined together at De La Ronda
Hall. The guest speaker was Superintendant John
Dilworth of the East Baton Rouge Parish School
Systems. Superintendant Dilworth discussed
various topics including: 1. Children with
special needs; 2. Year around school; and 3. The
importance of Business Support.
Church Law Seminar
The Louis A.
Martinet Legal Society hosted its first “Am I my
brother’s keeper” church seminar/CLE. An
audience of attorneys, clergy and church leaders
attended the Church Law seminar held at
Gloryland Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. An
outstanding panel of experienced lawyers and
clergy discussed various aspects of church law.
The seminar
discussed the basic duties, responsibilities and
liabilities of church boards and the role of
such boards in the church. The seminar also
addressed issues regarding churches as 501 (c) 3
organizations and the required tax filings for
churches as non-profit organizations. The
seminar addressed many of the tax consequences
faced by churches for failure to properly
determine their employee’s status or to document
financial activities.
The Greater Baton Rouge Chapter,
Celebrated Laura Lee Harris and Johnnie A. Jones
On January 27, 2010, the Greater
Baton Rouge Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society commemorated an historical event
and celebrated Ms. Laura Lee Harris, whose
actions led to a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling
to desegregate seating within the 19th Judicial
District Court. During the event, the chapter
honored Ms. Laura Lee Harris and Mr. Johnnie A.
Jones (Baton Rouge Civil Rights Attorney &
Attorney for Ms. Laura Lee Harris). The program,
which occurred at the 19th Judicial District
Court, featured remarks from LSBA Kim M. Boyle ,
BRBA Fred Crifasi, SULC Chancellor Freddie
Pitcher as well as prominent judges and
attorneys in the Baton Rouge area. This
event was chaired by Monique Edwards. More then
100 guest gathered to honor the two trailblazers
in the civil rights movement. Several of the Louis
A. Martinet Baton Rouge Chapter Past President's
were in attendance.
