Calendar

Dec
14
Mon
The View from the Bench: Ethics and Professionalism in the Courtroom @ Louisiana District Attorney Association Office
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:15 pm
The View from the Bench: Ethics and Professionalism in the Courtroom @ Louisiana District Attorney Association Office

Join us for an engaging, candid conversation about ethics and professionalism through the eyes if the judiciary. Moderator Curtis Nelson, JD, will lead Judge Roger Hamilton and Judge Elizabeth Engolio in a discussion of real-world ethical challenges, courtroom expectations, and the decisions attorneys face in their daily practice. Drawing on their experiences, the panel will explore practical situations, professional responsibilities, and the importance of maintaining integrity in out of the courtroom.

The first hour will focus on Ethics, examining ethical obligations, professional judgment, and situations that can challenge even experienced attorneys. The second hour will focus on Professionalism, including courtroom conduct, communication, civility, and the relationships between attorneys, judges, clients, and the relationships between attorneys, judges, clients, and other participations in the judicial process. Designed as an interactive, conversational program rather than a traditional lecture, this annual year-end workshop offers attorneys an opportunity to reflect, exchange perspectives, and finish the year with renewed professional purpose. Attorneys may register for either hour individually or attend both sessions, depending on their continuing or attend both sessions, depending on their continuing legal education needs.

Objectives

Ethics: identify common ethical challenges encountered in courtroom practice and evaluate appropriate responses consistent with professional responsibilities and judicial expectations.

Professionalism: Recognize behaviors and communication practices that promote civility, respect, and professionalism in interactions with judges, opposing counsel, clients, and other participants in the judicial process.

Speakers

Curtis Nelson, JD, has been a public servant for more than 28 years. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and the Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Opioid Abatement Administration Corporation. Curtis has been involved in multiple state initiatives to help develop effective administrative processes for public agencies. He has served as the Co-Chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) Children’s Law Committee, Co-Chair of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Leadership Collaborative, Committee Member of the Louisiana Children Justice Task Force, Committee Member of the Governor’s Advisory Board of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Advisory Board Fellow for the Pelican Center for Children and Families.

Curtis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Louisiana State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans. He is a veteran of the United States Army, having served six years with the Louisiana Army National Guard (Combat Medical Unit) and six years with the United States Army Reserve (Theater Support Command-Judge Advocate General Corps).

Judge Elizabeth A. Engolio took office on March 31, 2016 as District Judge for Division “D” in the 18th JDC. Elizabeth Engolio was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Elizabeth pursued her under-graduate studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While attending college, Elizabeth worked as an intern in Washington D.C. for Senator Mary Landrieu. She also worked for the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office from 1998-2001. She graduated Cum Laude in May of 2001.

Judge Engolio attended Southern University Law Center. She received her Juris Doctorate in May of 2004. While attending law school, she worked as a law clerk for Marionneaux & Marionneaux and for her grandfather, the late Judge Engolio. Shortly after admission to the Louisiana Bar, Elizabeth opened her private civil practice. She also began working as an Assistant District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District. She maintained her private practice and her position with the District Attorney’s Office from 2005-2016.

Judge Roger P Hamilton, Jr. was elected to serve as District Court Judge, Division H of the 16th Judicial District Court in 2020. Judge Hamilton was born and raised in St Martin Parish. His family moved from St Martin Parish to Iberia Parish. He graduated from New Iberia Senior High School in 1994. He attended Nicholls State University and graduated Cum Laude in 1998. He was selected into the Nicholls State University Hall of Fame in 1998. He graduated in 2001 from Louisiana State University Paul M Hebert Law Center with his Juris Doctor.

Judge Hamilton began his legal career in 2001 as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Paul J. deMahy. He began working as an Assistant District Attorney in May 2002 until December 2020. Judge Hamilton also served as General Counsel to the Lafayette Parish School Board and the City of Jeanerette. Judge Hamilton served as an adjunct professor at South Louisiana Community College and Nicholls State University.

Judge Hamilton was awarded the Judge Benjamin Jones Judges in Classroom Award in 2023, was awarded the Judge Robert Morrison Legislative Leadership Award in 2024 and was elected Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial District in 2025.

REGISTER HERE