Appellate specialization is coming to Louisiana.

Here is some exciting news for Louisiana appellate practitioners: appellate practice has become an area of specialization recognized by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The initial period to apply for appellate specialization will be January 1 through March 31, 2016. If you’re interested in applying, you’ll want to read these two documents:

• The Rules and Regulations of the La. Board of Legal Specialization. These rules and regs apply to all areas of specialization, including the newly recognized area of appellate practice.
• The Board’s Appellate Practice Standards, setting forth the standards for obtaining and maintaining certification as an appellate specialist.

The basic requirements for this specialty will include the following

• Active membership in good standing in the Louisiana State Bar Association
• Five years of continuous full-time practice of law
• During the five years immediately preceding your application, a minimum of 25% of work in appellate practice
• In your career, service as lead counsel or having substantial responsibility for 25 appellate matters
• In your career, six appellate oral arguments
• Five references from practicing lawyers who can attest to your competence in appellate practice
• During the application year (January 1 through December 31, 2016 for the initial class), 18 hours of continuing legal education in appellate law
• Passing a written examination

A lot of work by a lot of people made this happen, but one person deserves special recognition: Louis LaCour, chair of the LSBA’s Appellate Section and inaugural chair of the Board’s Appellate Practice Advisory Commission. Louis worked hard to develop the standards, obtain the blessing of the LSBA’s House of Delegates, obtain the Louisiana Supreme Court’s approval, and recruit the first members of the Advisory Commission. Thanks, Louis.