LAPDA SUPPORTS LACDL TATE AWARDS

If you have been in "Indigent Defense" since 1980, you know who Sam Dalton is. Nearly 30 years ago, when I was given the "job" of Chief Defender in Lafayette, my first move was to look for a Playbook in the ID office. Know what? There was none! Nobody could tell me anything about running the office, staffing or anything else!! It didn't take long to find that Sam Dalton could help. He sent me a copy of a lawsuit against the Judges for not funding his program. He had a "writ kit" for quick preparation and filing of a writ. Sam came to the first Public Defender Seminar in 1989 in Lafayette, and along with Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish and Sam, we started training Public Defenders for the first time in a sub specialty of Criminal Defense. At that time we must have both been in LaCDL.

So it was fitting that Sam Dalton was in the classic ballroom at the Montleone in New Orleans November 30th to hear the reconciliation of LaPDA and LaCDL, and their joint victory celebration for progress in Public Defender Reform in Louisiana. I was always saddened by the disagreement we had with Sam, by the fact that he had worked so hard for reform, for the profession and for our clients, and yet was not with us on the same side of the "nuts and bolts" of how to solve the problem. So the highlight of Friday for me was Sam seeing us working together to honor Public Defenders, including LaCDL's "Sam Dalton Public Defender Award" given to Richard Bourke. I am sorry this happened to Sam. I'm glad its finally worked out!

The classic Montleone Hotel in the French Quarter is a great setting for a formal dinner, awards and speeches. There was a definite holiday mood as New Orleans continues to improve. More people seemed to be in town. Bourbon Street was busy. MR. B's on ROYAL WAS OPEN! Things were, to paraphrase one of my toddler nephews, "all good"!

The deference and consideration from LaCDL was remarkable. We have taken a huge step. LaCDL President Elton Ritchey has given every indication he wants to continue building, and there is hope we might have some joint legislative projects during the regular session. 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.

John DiGuilio had one final surprise to top off the cordial evening, the cooperation, the total respect and praise that LaPDA heard Friday night. He took the bold step of giving G. Paul Marx a President's Award from LaCDL!! While not a good omen for the award itself perhaps, that certainly represents an epilog to the closing chapter of a bitter fight, and the foundation of joint efforts in the Criminal Defense Bar to make things better in Louisiana.

The crowd was "fattened up", not by the LaPDA Executive Director's presence alone, but by crowds joining PD Honorees, including at least 18 from LAP, two tables with Derrick Carson from Vidalia, several with Vic Bradley from St. Charles (including grandchildren), two full LaPDA tables, and on on G Paul Marx, Prof. Law Corp. It was a great event, mostly because of LaCDL's 22 year record, but also for the new life and new faces showing up.

I felt great about the progress since Katrina, but I made a big mistake. The French Quarter has a sort of surreal quality to it, kind of like going to an amusement park front only. You don't see the real city in the Quarter. Heading out of the city just before the Saints game, I went up Canal to the I-10 exit. My last memory of New Orleans this great weekend was the scores of homeless people living in tents and on blankets under the overpass at Canal and the interstate . . . . .I could see the infamous news video again: help! help! help! . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trustees of Freedom Lifetime Achievement 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!

TATE PREVIEW PIECE