In the first joint project

In the first joint project, LaPDA has joined with LaCDL and will sponsor several awards on that program at the Hotel Montleone in New Orleans on November 30th. The Dinner, in honor of Justice Al Tate, who served on the Louisiana Supreme Court and the United State Fifth Circuit, is a tradition of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. President John DiGuilio, along with Elton Ritchey (Incoming President), Jim Boren, Walt Sanchez, and others joined with an informal group (Gideon Council) to work on bridges between the Public Defenders and the Private Bar. Mike Mitchell, Christine Lehmann, Tony Champagne, and Paul Marx for LaPDA brought the Board proposals for this and other cooperative efforts. The first results will show up this fall. Tate Dinner Ticket Order - LACDL SEMINAR SIGN UP

The "Tate Dinner" represents one of the most effective Professionalism projects in Louisiana Criminal Justice: a memorial to a respected and loved Jurist, whose devotion to the law is legend, combined with recognition of outstanding lawyering. LaCDL has previously expanded its awards to include a Public Defender Award and a Federal CJA Award to recognize public defenders. The "Tate Awards Dinner" represents one of the finest achievements of LACDL in bringing Professionalism to the Criminal Defense Bar, and it is consistent with the traditions of that organization to expand the range of the dinner to include even more Public Defenders. LACDL President DiGuilio and the Executive Board have graciously opened the program for seven awards presented by LaPDA, including this year's Honorees:

Trustees of Freedom Lifetime Service Award - James H. Looney - From creation of the La Appellate Project years ago to Creation of State Web-based database, Jim has been an extraordinary contributor to Criminal Justice in Louisiana. He offers volunteer work for Seminars and Training and has brought National Appellate Training in Louisiana several times. Jim's work on LAP has made it a model for statewide public defender services, and his work on the statewide database was one of the most important things that happened in building a foundation for the Public Defender Act of 2007.

Trustees of Freedom Gideon Awards; In recognition of outstanding contributions to the Right to Counsel, including Legislative work, work "in the trenches", and a concern for clients and Criminal Justice in the last year or more:

Bob Noel - Bob has gone with us to the Executive Branch for funding increases since the start of the Blanco Administration. He has been a tactical advisor during our Legislative Work and was instrumental in our work on drafting the regional component of the PD Act. He recently proved the skill and expertise of Public Defenders in his work for Michal Bell of Jena 6, including public appearances on national media.

Vic Bradley - Vic was key in providing Legislative Assistance in the Public Defender Act of 2007, particularly in explaining the importance of the Act to Joel Chaisson, whose Senate Committee handled the legislation. In the 2006 and 2007 Sessions, Vic brought Joel into the process and he became a key legislative leader for Public Defender Reform.

Derrick Carson - If you want a model for Trial of Vehicular Homicide - Making a Record for a Win on Appeal, look no further than Derrick's work as appointed counsel in State v Bailey, in which the parade of witnesses called by the defense became the basis for the Third Circuit to not only reverse, but to enter a verdict of NOT GUILTY, which freed his client.

Greg Riley - Extraordinary Service as Legislative Staffer for drafting Public Defender Reform Act. Greg was willing to listen and worked well beyond the call of duty to put a consensus bill together while staffing the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Senator Lydia Jackson, Representative Danny Martiny - Extraordinary Legislative Service for the Right to Counsel often calls for political courage. Our two legislative leaders in the 2006 and 2007 Sessions demonstrated that in their vigorous efforts to bring positive change to Louisiana, and particularly in their willingness to listed to Public Defenders when issues were discussed.

We encourage all Criminal Justice Professionals to join in this first step in what will become a long history of cooperation in the interest of Criminal Justice in Louisiana. The Dinner remains the project of LaCDL, which will retain any proceeds.

LACDL HONOREES:

ALBERT TATE JR. HONOREE - WALT SANCHEZ We dubbed him the W of the "W B" during debate on PD Reform, but Walt has been consistent since serving as a Board Member on the Calcasieu ID Board years ago as a proponent of change. His energetic and tireless fighting for reform was a big part of he "perfect storm" leading to the passage of Act 307, and his willingness to join in leading "compromise to consensus" was critical in getting the coalition together for final passage. Truly in the tradition of the learned Justice Tate, who on the Supreme Court of Louisiana and the Fifth Circuit, always put ideology on the back burner and public service front and center.

CAPITAL DEFENSE HONOREE - RICHARD BOURKE Since he told the LaPDA Death By Trial Seminar "we must demand more money", Richard has been on our A list for advocates. Recently New Iberia counsel thanked Richard's Capital Assistance Center for helping with the case of State v Lively and getting Life, but in any event Richard has continued the Clive / Walker tradition of LCAC.

CJA Panel Award - J. RODNEY BAUM Federal Public Defenders include the hourly CJA Panel Attorneys, and Richard is recognized for his work in the Middle District of Louisiana.

Public Defender Gideon Award Senators Lydia Jackson and Danny Martiny. Don't tell us we are unpopular. Representative Martiny won a big Senate race in Jefferson Parish after authoring the Public Defender Act of 2007! Senator Jackson started in 2006 and now we have a model state-wide defender program. Double award winners, well deserved!