Proposal for LSBA Appellate Section

New Orleans lawyer René B. deLaup is spearheading an effort to create an Appellate Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. He sent me this message describing his effort:

Our LSBA doesn’t have an appellate section, and I’m trying to gauge interest. Texas has one (http://www.tex-app.org/); some other states probably do too. In addition, Louisiana appellate courts have no organization of appellate attorneys from which to solicit feedback on rule changes.

I envision an LSBA appellate section being not much more than a low-traffic listserve discussion group where we can share expertise and tips. I hope also that the appellate court judges would sometimes consult us for our thoughts on an appellate practice issue or U.R.C.A. amendment. On a volunteer basis only, members could write pieces in the Louisiana Bar Journal on new developments or on legal-writing topics. Annual dues of $5 or $10 should cover it.

I’ve drafted some proposed bylaws, and I can do a resolution for approval by the LSBA House of Delegates at the June annual meeting. I may need some more names behind the resolution. Please let me know if you’re interested in the section.
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René B. deLaup
Attorney at Law, Appeals
511-B Lowerline Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118-3801
504-861-7402

René is still tinkering with the draft bylaws, but the preliminary draft he sent is here. If you have any comment or feedback on the draft, write to René; his email is rdelaup*at*bellsouth.net.

Several people at my firm (Adams and Reese) are interested in this idea. René is drafting a resolution that he'd like to submit to the LSBA House of Delegates at the June 2005 annual meeting. He's going to sign it and then send it over here for signing, by us and other interested people located in downtown New Orleans. If you're a member of the LSBA who'd like to sign the resolution, please let us know. Send an email to René or to me (ray.ward*at*arlaw.com), or leave a comment here.