Low-hanging fruit

I attended a funeral at the end of September that reminded me of the importance of family, friends, and colleagues. The deceased left her mark in the community with her tireless service to the organizations and causes she supported. 

The only thing more important than those organizations and causes were her husband, children, and grandchildren.  

She was passionate, organized, and driven. During the eulogy, it was said that if the deceased was your friend, an ally, and supported similar causes, she would do whatever was necessary to support you and to accomplish the goal. As a group, the members of the plaintiffs’ bar and the members of the Louisiana Association for Justice need to adopt this mindset to protect access to the courts and our clients’ rights.

If the current “insurance crisis” hearings are any indication, there will be an all-out assault on access to the courts and individual rights in the next legislative session. I spent some time discussing this in the October president’s column and frankly will likely mention it in every column leading up to the legislative session in April 2025. We must be proactive, organized, thoughtful, and respond quickly.

I am all about taking the path of least resistance and picking the low-hanging fruit. We should utilize those tools already in our toolbox to fight for our clients’ rights and to expose big insurance’s fraudulent claims of poverty. We must educate not only the legislature but the public as well. 

Seek out and support groups that deliver strong counterarguments to the echo-chamber information insurance companies and their allies provide. Look for bipartisan, nonprofit organizations that are research-based and shed light on the efforts by huge out-of-state corporations and insurance companies to rig the system in their favor and against the individuals and small Louisiana businesses we represent. These groups educate the public to raise awareness of how insurance companies mistreat people and to expose the real causes of high insurance rates, in contrast to other groups, which promote legislation that benefits themselves and insurance companies.

We will be embarking on a public awareness campaign prior to the 2025 legislative session to provide consumers with the real reasons why insurance rates are excessive. We will be asking you to assist in this effort not only with resources but also by spreading the word.

There is already a great deal of information out there showing how insurance companies use factors like credit scores and gender to determine insurance premiums and how they invest our premium dollars while delaying payment of claims as long as possible to maximize those investments. 

Here is how you can help:

1. Attend LAJ’s member meetings in your region. 
2. Sign up and be an active participant in your regional committee.
3. Share information that educates the public on what insurance companies are really doing. If you have questions about how to find that information, please contact Tom Wright at LAJ, 225-242-4837 or twright@lafj.org. 
4. Donate to this effort.

I would never ask you to do something I am not willing to do. Get involved in LAJ.

As the iconic Uncle Sam poster from World War I says, “I Want You.” LAJ needs you to be involved. Please consider joining one or more of our regional committees. These groups and their chairs would appreciate your assistance in providing expertise in specific areas of the law. 

I also encourage you to join LAJ sections that would benefit your practice. Some sections require agreements and separate dues. For more information, see www.lafj.org/sections or call or email Tom.

Another way to participate in LAJ is to share your experience and expertise by writing articles for Louisiana Advocates. You can contact Connie Blanchard at LAJ for more information, cblanchard@lafj.org or 225-242-4836.

Upcoming end-of-the-year CLEs

Finally, an important way to be involved in LAJ and keep up-to-date on changing laws and new trial techniques is to join me at LAJ’s Last Chance Conference in New Orleans on December 12 and 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The dual-track program offers more than 20 dynamic CLE credit courses, and you will be impressed with its highly acclaimed national and Louisiana faculty members. 

You can move freely between the “Review of Louisiana Law” and “Winning with the Masters” programs, and two-day attendance allows you to earn at least 13 CLE credits, including ethics and professionalism. There will also be plenty of opportunities to visit with friends and colleagues.  

I hope to see many of you there.