Current Events:
The Derbes Law Firm is open for business. For the safety of everyone, our office now offers video meetings via Zoom, which are encouraged. However, we do understand that execution of certain documentation requires an in-person meeting. When in-person meetings are appropriate, our office follows the State of Louisiana’s Phase 2 restrictions, including social distancing, temperature checks, and the requirement that face coverings be worn.
Upcoming Events:
Recent Events:
December 4, 2019: Beau P. Sagona was recognized by The Pro Bono Project (New Orleans) with its Distinguished Service Award at its annual awards luncheon. The Pro Bono Project matches persons with legal needs with volunteer attorneys who handle the matter without charge. Beau started volunteering with the program in November of 1990 – one month after he became a lawyer – and has volunteered on over 213 cases since then.
September 30, 2019: David M. Serio joined the firm as an associate.
August 2019: Beau P. Sagona‘s service as chair of a hearing committee for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (LADB) and his other involvement in the Louisiana legal community were spotlighted in the LADB’s August 2019 “Nota Bene” newsletter.
May – September 2019: Beau P. Sagona joined Louisiana Chief Disciplinary Counsel Charles B. “Chuck” Plattsmier, Louisiana State Bar Association Ethics Counsel Richard P. Lemmier and other speakers on the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board’s annual five-city tour of Louisiana to present free continuing legal education. Beau’s topic was “Testamentary Trust Basics.”
May 2019: Melanie M. Mulcahy, completed her 40 hour civil mediation training course at The University of Texas at Austin and is now listed on the Approved Register of Civil Mediators maintained by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. She is available for civil mediations with a particular emphasis in all commercial and business matters.
April 5, 2019: Beau P. Sagona and Carrie H. Pailet presented “Medicaid: Basics, Planning, and Liens” at the Jefferson Bar Association’s 32nd Annual CLE by the Sea that was held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
April 5, 2019: Beau P. Sagona, Ellen B. Artopoeus, and Steven J. Koehler presented “Conventional Solutions for Mental Decline & Their Problems: Irrevocable Trusts, Revocable Trusts, POAs and More…” at the Jefferson Bar Association’s 32nd Annual CLE by the Sea that was held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
April 5, 2019: Albert J. Derbes, IV, Honorable William C. Credo, III, and Dr. Candace Cutrone presented “The Coroner and First Response to Mental Illness Interdictions: Judicial Commitments and Litigation” at the Jefferson Bar Association’s 32nd Annual CLE by the Sea that was held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
April 5, 2019: Eric J. Derbes and Rick M. Shelby presented “Everybody Wants a Discharge… What Is It and How to Make Sure You Don’t Lose It in Your Chapter 7 or 11!” at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s CLE Program, “The Bankruptcy Code is 40 Years Old and We Are Still Learning!,” that was held at the Louisiana Bar Center in New Orleans.
March 24, 2019: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC helped sponsor the New Orleans Bar Association’s 17th Annual Bar & Grille Cooking Competition at City Park’s Peristyle. Proceeds benefitted the Veterans Justice Fellowship.
March 11, 2019: Zachary S. Wessler joined the firm as an associate.
December 27, 2018: Frederick L. Bunol presented “A Bankruptcy Crash Course: How Bankruptcy May Affect Your Practice?” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program that was held at the Pan American Life Building, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
July 26, 2018: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed in the New Orleans Bar Association’s 2018 Charity Pro-Bowl-O Benefit. Proceeds benefitted The Pro Bono Project.
April 22, 2018: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC and head chef Frederick L. Bunol competed in the Jefferson Bar Association Young Lawyer Division’s Crawfish Cook-Off at The Harbor Bar & Grill, 3024 17th Street, Metairie, Louisiana 70002. Proceeds benefitted the Jefferson Parish Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (C.A.S.A).
April 14, 2018: Albert Derbes, IV and Ellen Barrett Artopoeus presented “Notarial Law: Don’t Take it for Granted” at the Jefferson Bar Association’s 31st Annual CLE by the Sea at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
February 22, 2018: Albert Derbes, IV presented a national webinar for the National Business Institute on “Negotiating Business Contracts.”
February 16, 2018: Albert Derbes, IV and Ellen Barrett Artopoeus presented “Notarial Issues: Practice, Capacities and the E-Future” at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Solo, Small Firm & Tech Conference in New Orleans.
January 12, 2018: Frederick L. Bunol was installed as the treasurer of the Jefferson Bar Association.
January 1, 2018: Super Lawyers named Frederick L. Bunol as a Louisiana 2018 Rising Star in the Bankruptcy: Business area of practice.
December 21, 2017: Albert Derbes, IV and Ellen Barrett Artopoeus presented “Notarial Law: Don’t Take it for Granted” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program that was held at the Pan American Life Building, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
July 9, 2017: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed in the New Orleans Bar Association’s 2017 Charity Pro-Bowl-O Tournament, receiving the Best Team Spirit Award. Proceeds benefitted The Pro Bono Project.
June 26, 2017: Melanie M. Mulcahy and Albert Derbes, IV presented at the National Business Institute’s “Business Law from Start to Finish” seminar on two topics: “Forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)” and “Preparing Common Business Contracts.”
May 30, 2017: Jared S. Scheinuk joined the firm as an associate.
May 20, 2017: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed successfully in the New Orleans Bar Association’s New Orleans Bar & Grille at City Park’s Peristyle, with its Mac -n- Debris taking second place in the Crowd Favorite category. Proceeds benefitted Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.
March 31, 2017: Albert Derbes, IV moderated distinguished panelists discussing important distinctions between practice in Louisiana State and Federal Courts at the 2017 New Orleans Bar Association‘s Bench Bar Conference at the Grand Marriott Resort in Point Clear, Alabama.
March 9, 2017: Albert Derbes, IV and Ellen Barrett Artopoeus presented “Notarial Law: Don’t Take it for Granted” at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 10th Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference in New Orleans.
December 22, 2016: Albert Derbes, IV and Melanie M. Mulcahy presented “Miscellaneous Clauses: Reconsidering Boilerplate” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program.
December 21, 2016: Albert Derbes, IV presented “Top Ten Ethics Mistakes” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program.
October 20, 2016: Bryan J. O’Neill joined the firm as an associate.
October 5, 2016: Albert Derbes, IV and Melanie M. Mulcahy presented “Business Sale Agreements and the Closing” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s “Buying and Selling Businesses” CLE seminar.
August 29, 2016: Albert Derbes, IV presented on several topics at the National Business Institute’s, “Business Contracts A to Z” in Baton Rouge.
July 17, 2016: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed in the New Orleans Bar Association’s 2016 Charity Pro-Bowl-O Tournament. Proceeds benefitted The Pro Bono Project.
April 17, 2016: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed successfully in the New Orleans Bar Association’s New Orleans Bar & Grille at City Park’s Peristyle, with its Deluxe Muffuletta PoBoy tying for Favorite Dish. Proceeds benefitted Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.
March 17, 2016: Albert Derbes, IV and Melanie M. Mulcahy presented on several topics at the National Business Institute’s, “Preventing Business Contract Disputes.” Topics on which they spoke at this day-long seminar included: (1) Fundamental of Good Business Writing, (2) Contracts in Louisiana, (3) “Miscellaneous” Clauses: Reconsidering Boilerplate, (4) Fair Dealing: Good Faith, Fraud and Fiduciary Duties, (5) Confidentiality, Trade Secrets and Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation, (6) Business Contract Ethics, and (7) Buying and Selling Businesses.
January 1, 2016: Albert J. Derbes, IV became a member of the New Orleans Bar Association Board of Directors.
January 1, 2016: Frederick L. Bunol became an executive board member of the Jefferson Bar Association and chair of the Jefferson Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division.
December 22, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, IV presented, “Bankruptcy Lawyer’s Guide to Business Startup and Maintenance: Understanding how and why Companies Fail,” at the New Orleans Bar Assn’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program. This CLE helped attorneys advise business clients in two potential ways: (1) bankruptcy avoidance, and (2) early protective measures in case bankruptcy is inevitable.
December 22, 2015: Melanie M. Mulcahy presented, “The Procrastinator’s Guide to the Business Corporation Act of 2015,” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinators’ CLE Program.
December 17, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, IV presented at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law Sections’ CLE Program, “So This is What Bankruptcy is About!” He also participated in a panel discussion on, ”How Your Strategies Can Change Based On Your Venue.”
December 15, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, III, recently retired from the Derbes Law Firm, LLC, was honored by the Louisiana State Bar Association for his 50 years practicing law.
December 10, 2015: Frederick L. Bunol presented on “Tenant or Landlord Bankruptcy” at the 12th Annual Landlord-Tenant Law: How to Prosper in the New Market seminar in New Orleans hosted by Sterling Education Services.
October 15, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, IV hosted and presented at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Sections’ CLE Program, “The Interplay of Bankruptcy and Oil & Gas Law,” speaking on the topic of “Collection in the Oil Patch: LOWLA and More.”
May 26, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, IV‘s blog article for the New Orleans Bar Association entitled, “Insolvency and Louisiana’s Adoption of the Model Business Corporations Act,” is published.
April 9, 2015: Eric J. Derbes and Melanie M. Mulcahy presented a one hour Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar on the recent wholesale revision to Louisiana Corporate Law at the Jefferson Bar Association’s CLE by the Sea, entitled, “Title 12 (Entity Law) Revisions The Good, The Bad, & the Ugly,” at The Beau Rivage Resort, 875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Mississippi.
March 22, 2015: The Derbes Law Firm, LLC competed in the New Orleans Bar Association’s New Orleans Bar & Grille at City Park’s Peristyle, with proceeds benefitting Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.
January 31, 2015: Albert J. Derbes, III retired from the active practice of law after 48 years of service.
January 23, 2015: Eric J. Derbes completed his term as President of the Jefferson Bar Association, assuming the role of Immediate Past President.
January 1, 2015: Beau P. Sagona became Chair of the Louisiana Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Committee.
January 1, 2015: Frederick L. Bunol renewed his position as a board member of the Jefferson Bar Association Young Lawyer Division.
December 17, 2014: Frederick L. Bunol & Melanie M. Mulcahy presented “The Relationship between Bankruptcy and Construction Law,” at the New Orleans Bar Association’s Procrastinator’s CLE Program.
December 1, 2014: Albert J. Derbes, IV renewed his position as Chair of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section.
October 4, 2014: Wilbur J. “Bill” Babin, Jr. was recognized as Alumnus of the Year by Jesuit High School, New Orleans.
September 18, 2014: Albert J. Derbes, IV hosted the New Orleans Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Sections’ CLE Program, “The Interplay of Bankruptcy and Domestic Law,” where, he presented “Ethics in Two Venues,” with the Honorable Douglas D. Dodd, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge, Middle District of Louisiana, while Wilbur J. “Bill” Babin, Jr. participated in a Panel Discussion on “Perspectives on the Interplay of Domestic & Bankruptcy Law,” with Judge Dodd and the Honorable Bernadette D’Souza of the Civil District Court of Orleans Parish, Louisiana.