2025-26 Officers
President
Edmund J. Giering IV (2019-2027) Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Giering serves as general counsel to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and his practice emphasizes corporate law & governance, corporate, real estate & complex gift transactions, risk management, and nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1990, a Juris Doctor degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1994, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business in 2005.
Vice President
Michael J. Mestayer (2021-2028) Michael J. Mestayer, APLC
Mestayer is a solo practitioner in New Orleans, where he handles a broad range of litigation, including admiralty, product liability, and complex civil matters. He received his B.S. from L.S.U. and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Tulane School of Law where he teaches Solo and Small Firm Practice
Treasurer
Charles C. Bourque, Jr. (2023-2029) St. Martin and Bourque
Bourque is a New Orleans native, but currently resides in Houma, where he is a partner in the law firm of St. Martin & Bourque. He graduated from LSU with a degree in accounting and received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1990. Prior to entering law school, Bourque served as an officer and helicopter pilot in the United States Army and continued flying helicopters in the Louisiana Army National Guard until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2011. He is licensed to practice before all state and federal courts in Louisiana and is an active member of the Terrebonne Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana State, Federal, and American Bar Associations.
Secretary
Colleen C. Jarrott (2025-2030) Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Jarrott is a partner in the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson where she represents energy companies in oil and gas, mineral law, carbon capture and sequestration, transportation, and other industries in complex commercial litigation, transactional matters, commercial contracts, and regulatory issues. She received her B.A. from The Catholic University of America and her J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Immediate Past President
Hon. John C. Davidson (Ret.) (2018-2026)
Davidson received his undergraduate and law degrees from LSU. He is a 1988 graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law School where he was Order of the Coif (an honor awarded to the top 10% of the graduating class), a member of the Louisiana Law Review, and inducted into the Paul M. Hebert Hall of Fame. He was in private practice until his election as a district court judge for the 9th Judicial District Court in November 2004. He retired in September 2023. He remains active in his community and state as a volunteer with local nonprofits and as the Immediate Past President of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
2025-26 Board of Directors
Mark L. Barbre (2025-2028) Long Law Firm, LLP
Barbre is a native of Baton Rouge and is a partner at Long Law Firm, LLP. He has a diverse civil practice with an emphasis on business and governmental matters. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1999 and taught high school upon graduation. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business in 2005 and his Juris Doctor degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2006.
Linda Law Clark (2022-2026) DeCuir, Clark & Adams, LLP
Philanthropic Community at Large
Clark is a partner in the law firm of DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P. She is an experienced trial lawyer as well as a certified mediator. Her principal areas of practice are general civil litigation, administrative hearings for quasi-governmental and governmental bodies, education, employment & family law, and small business matters. She serves as Arbiter in Baton Rouge City Court. She is admitted to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts.
G. Adam Cossey (2023-2026) Hudson, Potts, & Bernstein, LLP
Cossey is a partner with Hudson, Potts, & Bernstein, LLP, in Monroe, Louisiana, where his practice focuses on civil trials and appeals in Louisiana and Arkansas. He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe and the University of Arkansas School of Law.
George D. "Dave" Ernest III (2022-2026) Hurlburt, Monrose & Ernest
Geographic Representative
Ernest is a shareholder at Hurlburt, Monrose, and Ernest in Lafayette. His diverse practice focuses on defense casualty litigation. He graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University and earned his law degree from Paul M. Hebert Law School where he was on the Louisiana Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. After completing law school, Ernest clerked for the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and held various leadership positions, including chair of the Lafayette Bar Foundation and president of the Lafayette/Acadiana Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He is currently the board chair at Acadiana Legal Service Corporation, and he serves on the boards of the Lafayette Bar Foundation and the Lafayette/Acadiana Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In 2022 he received the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Friend of Pro Bono Award.
Christopher B. Hebert (2022-2026) Louisiana Department of Justice
LSBA House of Delegates Representative
Hebert is the acting Director of the Gaming Division under Governor Jeff Landry. Hebert has served as an Assistant Attorney General for over 10 years. He previously served as a clerk for the Hon. Judge James Best of the 18th Judicial District Court in New Roads. Last year, Hebert was appointed by the President of the National Bar Association to the Council of the Louisiana Law Institute. He is an immediate Past Director of the National Bar Association, Region V, and a former member of the Board of Governors for the National Bar Association. Hebert earned his bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and his law degree from the Southern University Law Center, where he was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 2015.
Hon. Marcus L. Hunter (2023-2027) Court of Appeal, 2nd Circuit State of Louisiana
Judge Hunter received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Southern University in 2002 and a Juris Doctor in 2005 from the Southern University Law Center, both in Baton Rouge. After being admitted to the Louisiana Bar Association, Judge Hunter opened a small business, United Title of Northeast Louisiana, and is an attorney in Willie Hunter Jr., and Associates in Monroe at which he practiced alongside his father and brother.
Jonathan Johnson (2023-2027) The Johnson Firm
Johnson received Bachelor of Science degrees in both accounting and civil law, and ultimately, a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University. He joined The Johnson Firm in Lake Charles in 2006 and manages both domestic and personal injury cases. Today he is the managing partner of the firm.
Curtis R. Joseph Jr. (2025-2026) Blanchard Walker O'Quin & Roberts
LSBA Board of Governors Designee
Joseph is a Partner in the Shreveport law firm, Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, APLC. He handles defense as well as plaintiff-oriented litigation. He attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he was a founding member of Washington & Lee's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in 1993, and his Juris Doctorate in 1996. While at Washington & Lee, Curtis performed clinical work, focusing on post-conviction relief with the inmates of the Federal Women¹s Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia. He taught Language Arts, Social Studies, and Religion at Bishop Perry Middle School in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1999-2000.
Teresa D. King (2024-2026)
King founded her law firm in 2016 and remains the sole practitioner at Teresa King, Esquire, LLC, located in downtown Houma. She brings a passion for social justice to her private practice and her work as a public defender for the Lafourche Indigent Defender’s Office. King has spoken for continuing education seminars and non-profit banquets. She has also inspired and fired up local business owners in the Women’s Business Alliance. Her focus remains on helping people and making a difference, one case at a time.
Jason Matt (2025-2028) Matt & Allen
Matt is a managing partner at the Law Offices of Matt & Allen, in Lafayette, practicing plaintiff personal injury law. In 2006, he received his B.S. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Mechanical Engineering, and in 2010 he obtained his J.D. from Loyola College of Law in New Orleans. Immediately following law school, he returned to Lafayette and served as a federal law clerk in the Western District of Louisiana before joining Matt & Allen. He has served on various community boards and committees.
Paula E. Miles (2023-2027) Louisiana Public Defender Board
Miles currently serves as General Counsel at the Office of the State Public Defender. She previously served as President of the Alexandria Bar Association, Executive Board member of the Crossroads Inns of Court and Chairperson of the Rapides Parish Domestic Violence Task Force. She received her B.A. from Xavier University of New Orleans and her J.D. from Loyola Law School of New Orleans.
Sheri Morris (2023-2027) Daigle Fisse & Kessenich
Morris is a partner with Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich, where she manages the Baton Rouge Office. Her practice is focused on representing local and state agencies in a broad range of civil matters. She previously served as General Counsel to the Louisiana Secretary of State, an Assistant Attorney General, and the City Attorney for the City of Central. She received a B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a J.D. degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1991.
Kelly M. Rabalais (2025-2028) St. Tammany Health System
Rabalais is the Vice President of Communications & Strategy for St. Tammany Health System. She has a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in healthcare administration. She serves on the LSBA Board of Governors and the Louisiana Bar Journal Editorial Board. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is certified by the Public Relations Society of America and has obtained the designation of Health Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. Previously, she served as Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Counsel for St. Tammany Parish Government from 2007-2020. She was previously appointed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board by Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown from 2018 to 2024 where she served as Vice- Chair from 2023-2024. She is the recipient of the 2021 LSBA Stephen T. Victory Memorial Award and the 2016 BGR Excellence in Government Merit Award.
Anthony J. Staines (2023-2026) Staines, Epplining & Kenney, LLC
Staines received a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Orleans in 1976 and earned a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1980. Following law school, Staines served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Frank J. Poloza, United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana. In addition to his regular practice, he has served as a delegate to the Louisiana State Bar Association; has been a member of the faculty for the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy; a participant in Professionalism Orientation for the Louisiana State Bar Association; has presented articles to the admiralty committee of the Maritime Law Association and has presented at the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Seminar. Staines has also participated in pro bono litigation in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, and is a Board Member of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy. Staines is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeal, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and all Louisiana state courts.
Hon. Raymond S. Steib Jr. (2025-2026) 24th Judicial District Court Division A
Member-at-Large Designee
Judge Steib graduated from the Loyola University College of Law New Orleans in 1982. He was a solo practitioner in Gretna, Louisiana until he was elected to the bench of the 24thJudicial District Court in Jefferson Parish in May 2010. Judge Steib served in the LSBA House of Delegates for many years; he was President of the Jefferson Bar Association in 2002, President of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services from 2005-2006, and Past President of St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association. Judge Steib currently serves on the LSBA Access to Justice Committee, Committee on the Profession and Nominating Committee.
Hon. Karelia R. Stewart (2024-2027) First Judicial District Court
Judicial District Judges Association Designee
In August of 2014, Judge Stewart was elected without opposition to Section 1, Division D of the First Judicial District Court. By Order of the Louisiana Supreme Court, she took the bench in her official capacity on October 1, 2014. She is currently assigned in the Family Court Division. She is a merit scholar and 2004 honor graduate of Loyola University School of Law New Orleans and a 2001 cum laude graduate from Dillard University in New Orleans.
Brooke Tigchelaar (2025-2028) Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.
Tigchelaar concentrates her practice in family law, including divorce, property partition, custody, and support. Tigchelaar also has experience in commercial litigation, including general business litigation and products liability disputes. Tigchelaar was recognized by Chambers and Partners in the High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial Law, as a "Top Lawyer" by New Orleans Magazine, and most recently, by Best Lawyers for Family Law. She has previously been recognized as a Rising Star by Louisiana Super Lawyers and as a Leadership in Law honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Tulane University. She is involved with volunteer programs, including staffing of the self-help desk for pro se litigants. Tigchelaar has previously served on the board of Louisiana Appleseed. She joined Stone Pigman in 2008.
Edward J. Walters, Jr. (2024-2025) Walters Papillion Thomas Cullens
LSBA Officer
Walters is a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm Walters, Thomas, Cullens. He received his B.S. from LSU in 1969 and his J.D. from the LSU Law School in 1975. He has practiced in the Baton Rouge area for over 48 years representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocates and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is an adjunct professor of law at the LSU Law School where he and Mike Patterson have jointly taught a trial skills course entitled “Advanced Trial and Evidence Seminar” for over 25 years. He is on the faculty of the LSU Law School’s Trial Advocacy Program since its inception. He is a frequent lecturer and writer on litigation, evidence, ethics and professionalism topics. He was the editor of the Baton Rouge Bar Association's monthly magazine for over 34 years. He is the current President of the Louisiana State Bar Association.
