An Afternoon Symposium

Retired Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. and Grover Joseph Rees, III, United States Ambassador (Retired) listen to a lecture during the LSBA Francophone Section’s symposium commemorating the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Bicentennial.

On November 21, 2013, The Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society was one of the sponsors of an afternoon symposium held by the Francophone Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Supreme Court.  The three hour CLE program was held at the Historic New Orleans Collection, and the symposium featured four heroes of the Civil Law in Louisiana.

Opening remarks were made by Warren A. Perrin, Francophone Section Chair, and by LSBA President Richard K. Leefe.  Justice Greg G. Guidry of the Louisiana Supreme Court was the first speaker, giving an overview of the Court’s 2013 Bicentennial events and spoke about several justices who were important in the development of the Court.  Louis R. Koerner then introduced the four panelists.  LSU Law Professor Olivier Moréteau presented a talk on Francois-Xavier Martin and gave a Historical overview of the court in the early 19th century just after statehood and in its formative years.  Justice Albert Tate’s storied career as a jurist was discussed by one of his former law clerks, Grover Joseph Rees, III, United States Ambassador (Retired). Judge James L. Dennis, presently Circuit Judge on the U. S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, spoke about the 20 years he served on the Louisiana Supreme Court and the influence of former Justice Mack E. Barham. Retired Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. discussed his early years as an earnest young lawyer, his record breaking tenure on the Supreme Court  and his successful efforts to have the Court’s historic home restored.