Session Four 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. (Professionalism) A Discussion of the Code of Professionalism Hon. Rachelle D. Dick Hon. John W. degravelles Hon. Richard L. Bourgeois, Jr. U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana Baton Rouge
Judge Shelly D. Dick Federal Judicial Service: Judge U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana Nominated by Barack Obama on April 26, 2012, to a seat vacated by Ralph E. Tyson; Confirmed by the Senate on May 9, 2013, and received commission on May 10, 2013. Education: University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A. (cum laude), 1981 Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., (Law Review) 1988 Professional Career: Private Practice, LA, 1988 2013 Ad Hoc Hearing Officer, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Worker s Compensation, 2008 2013 Ad Hoc Hearing Officer, Randolph Sheppard Program, Louisiana Workforce Commission, 2011
Judge John W. degravelles Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana Nominated by Barack Obama on March 13, 2014, to a seat vacated by Judge J. James Brady who took senior status; Confirmed by the Senate on July 22, 2014 and received commission on July 23, 2014. Education: Louisiana State University, B.A., 1971 Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D. (Order of the Coif), 1974 Professional Career: Private Practice, Louisiana, 1974-2014
Magistrate Judge Richard L. Bourgeois, Jr. Judge Bourgeois was sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana in February of 2013. He is responsible for various pretrial proceedings in criminal cases, as well as management of the civil cases pending in the district, including ruling on both non-dispositive and dispositive motions referred by the District Judges, conducting evidentiary hearings and consent trials in civil cases, and trials in misdemeanor criminal cases. Judge Bourgeois received his Bachelor of Science degree from LSU and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law School, where he graduated Order of the Coif. After receiving his law degree, he worked as a commercial litigator in Washington, D.C. with the law firm Latham and Watkins. In 2003, he was appointed as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Louisiana where he served as deputy criminal chief, supervising and prosecuting cases involving computer crimes, as well as large scale schemes involving healthcare, banking and investment fraud. Judge Bourgeois has been a speaker at various continuing legal education programs as well as industry specific programs on matters regarding civil practice and procedure, ESI and discovery, trial advocacy, criminal law and procedure, computer crimes and forensics, internet safety, and health care law.
CODE OF PROFESSIONALISM My word is my bond. I will never intentionally mislead the court or other counsel. I will not knowingly make statements of fact or law that are untrue. I will clearly identify for other counsel changes I have made in documents submitted to me. I will conduct myself with dignity, civility, courtesy and a sense of fair play. I will not abuse or misuse the law, its procedures or the participants in the judicial process. I will consult with other counsel whenever scheduling procedures are required and will be cooperative in scheduling discovery, hearings, the testimony of witnesses and in the handling of the entire course of any legal matter. I will not file or oppose pleadings, conduct discovery or utilize any course of conduct for the purpose of undue delay or harassment of any other counsel or party. I will allow counsel fair opportunity to respond and will grant reasonable requests for extensions of time. I will not engage in personal attacks on other counsel or the court. I will support my profession's efforts to enforce its disciplinary rules and will not make unfounded allegations of unethical conduct about other counsel. I will not use the threat of sanctions as a litigation tactic. I will cooperate with counsel and the court to reduce the cost of litigation and will readily stipulate to all matters not in dispute. I will be punctual in my communication with clients, other counsel and the court, and in honoring scheduled appearances. Following approval by the Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates and Board of Governors at the Mid-Year Meeting, and approval by the Supreme Court of Louisiana on Jan. 10, 1992, the Code of Professionalism was adopted for the membership. The Code originated out of the Professionalism and Quality of Life Committee.