General Information
The Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel is an organization of approximately 1,700 Louisiana attorneys who are primarily engaged in the defense of civil litigation. The
organization was founded in 1963 to provide a vehicle for a sharing of ideas and an enhancement of the education and training of its members. It has enjoyed spectacular growth, and today provides its members with key
educational opportunities, such as a monthly newsletter reporting on recent developments in the law of interest to members, and eight educational programs which provide members with the opportunity to earn up to approximately 85
CLE credits each year. The LADC also functions as the voice of its members in public service, working with its members and with other organizations to improve the speedy administration of justice in Louisiana courts. In
1998, the LADC was selected as the outstanding defense organization in the United States.
Public Services
The LADC contributes to the public good by working for the adoption of laws which will provide the speedy and
inexpensive resolution of civil disputes. The organization's efforts concentrate on legislation (proposing, supporting and opposing bills) and judicial decisions (filing amicus curiae briefs in cases of general statewide
importance). The LADC also supports pro bono efforts and has contributed more than $200,000 to the enhancement of legal education in the state's law schools.
Member Services The Newsletter reports primarily on Louisiana statutory and jurisprudential
developments, but also tracks events nationwide, and particularly in the federal courts, which would be of interest to a Louisiana defense counsel. Other member services include a Slip Opinion Service (providing
members with copies of recent state supreme court decisions, and information on other court action of interest to members), an expert witness bank (members have access to a bank of information on more than 1,000 experts at no
cost), and a compilation of jury instructions which is widely used by the Louisiana bench and bar.
The primary
purpose of the LADC is the enhancement of the education and training of its members. This is accomplished by presentation of eight high quality continuing legal education programs each year, and by the publication of a
monthly newsletter which provides detailed information on the most recent developments in the law, including judicial decisions and legislation. Five of the meetings are held within the state, and include a Trial Academy at
which younger members receive hands-on training in trial tactics from some of the nation's outstanding instructors, and an Attorney/Client Seminar which provides the opportunity for an exchange of ideas with the primary clients of
the membership. The three regular meetings (Fall, Winter and Annual Meetings) are usually held out of state at sites which are conducive to both education and recreation. In recent years, members have had the
opportunity to learn about, and compare with Louisiana's, the legal systems of Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, England, Ireland and Scotland while visiting in those countries. The Winter Meeting usually is held in the Rocky Mountains, and the Fall Meeting in recent years has been held in New England, the Rockies, Cancun and Santa Fe. Each out of state meeting provides significant
opportunities for enhancement of legal education and an exchange of views with attorneys with similar interests in other parts of the nation.