EN BANC IN NEW ORLEANS – A SPECIAL INVITATION

Y’all come on down!  To the City of New Orleans, that is – and join colleagues from across the country for the first-ever joint conference of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary (NAALJ) and Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference (FALJC), September 9-12, 2012.  The joint committee, including invaluable members of the Louisiana Association of Administrative Law Judges (LAALJ), has put together a terrific schedule of programming and fun events that you will not want to miss.

Our home base will be the incomparable and impeccable Ritz-Carlton Hotel, located just off the French Quarter on Canal Street.  The conference room rate is just $129 per night.

The festivities begin Sunday evening in the lovely Ritz Courtyard. Greet old friends and make new ones at a reception featuring substantial hot and cold offerings, a cash bar, and cool, New Orleans jazz.  FALJC attendees will gather for dinner afterwards at the Ritz – but NAALJ attendees are welcome to purchase a ticket and join them.

On Monday morning, following a welcome from Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne, prepare to buckle down for a fast-paced program of interesting and relevant judicial education.  We will break at 11:15 for an optional excursion to the famous Jazz Brunch Buffet at the Court of Two Sisters, a short walk from the Ritz.  The program resumes at 1:30. 

Monday evening, it’s an optional excursion for Cajun food, music, and dancing at the casual local favorite: Mulate’s. A buffet of regional favorites such as fried seafood and jambalaya will provide the energy to learn some Cajun dance steps from the Mulate’s instructors.

Conference programming continues on Tuesday for both organizations.  On Tuesday evening, get ready to “Dine Around New Orleans.”  Our host city is home to some of the most renowned restaurants in the country, and this is your opportunity to join a group for dinner at one of these iconic places.  (Commander’s Palace, perhaps?)

On Wednesday, the conference continues for NAALJ attendees, with another full day of provocative presentations.  That evening, bring your checkbook for the traditional Silent Auction, which raises funds for the NAALJ Foundation’s important efforts.  The NAALJ Banquet will follow in the Ritz Ballroom.  Following the banquet, join members of the Central Panel Director’s Conference group, whose meeting begins the following day, for a final New Orleans celebration!

Concerned your traveling companion will find enough activities?  Daily walking tours will be offered of the French Quarter and the Garden District.  And the Ritz is ideally located for self-guided shopping, strolling around the French Quarter, and sipping chicory coffee at the Café de Monde.  It also houses a fabulous spa.  Check out all the options at the registration table and sign up for as much as you and your guest can handle.

The Co-Chairs of this historic event look forward to welcoming you to the Big Easy in September!

The conference has been approved  by the Louisiana Supreme Court Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Coordinator for 16 hours of CLE, including one hour of ethics and one hour of professionalism. 

James Gilbert (FALJC)   Mary-Margaret Anderson (NAALJ)   Valerie Meiners (LAALJ)