future-focused

Liskow Shareholder, Tyler Trew, Named to City Business’ Leadership in Law Class of 2021

2 minute read

Liskow & Lewis is proud to announce that Tyler Trew has been selected to New Orleans CityBusiness’ Leadership in Law Class of 2021. Tyler was recognized for his professional accomplishments, pro bono dedication, and leadership.

Tyler is a litigator whose practice includes a wide variety of both commercial and energy litigation, including the prosecution and defense of contractual disputes, construction contract litigation, professional liability litigation, Education Law, e-discovery, tax disputes, and representation of oil companies in the defense of claims made by landowners regarding property contamination. Tyler serves on the firm’s technology committee and regularly shares advice and information on e-discovery and ethical obligations related to e-discovery.

In addition to using his legal experience to serve clients, he also uses it to serve those who cannot afford legal representation. He is a volunteer attorney for the Homeless Experience Legal Protection (“H.E.L.P.”) Program and he volunteers for The Pro Bono Project, an organization that opens doors for many Louisianans in need of legal representation. Tyler was awarded by the Louisiana State Bar Association for his extraordinary pro bono work with the Pro Bono Century Award. The LSBA’s Century Award is presented to those extraordinary attorneys who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the ideals of their profession by providing over 100 hours of volunteer pro bono services during the past calendar year through an established pro bono organization. Tyler is also a founding board member of Make Music NOLA—a nonprofit music education program that serves at-risk youth in New Orleans.

Tyler is recognized for his professional accomplishments by Louisiana Super Lawyers. He is an active member of multiple bar associations and serves as a Co-Chair of the ABA’s Section of Litigation – Audio Content Committee that recently successfully launched the Section’s podcast “Litigation Radio.” He is also a member of the Sedona Conference Working Group 1 – Electronic Document Retention and Production.

Started in 2005, Leadership in Law recognizes legal professionals based on their professional and community involvement and achievements that have set the pace for the overall community. The firm is proud to congratulate Tyler on this recognition, as he truly is a leader in law.

Liskow Lawyers Selected to Join Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Programs

less than a minute

The firm is proud to share that three lawyers have been selected to join The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) 2021 programs. Tiffany Davis was named a 2021 LCLD Fellow, and Trinity Morale and Jared Nelson have been selected to join the 2021 class of Pathfinders. These programs provide opportunities for diverse lawyers to receive professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, and relationship-building opportunities.

Now in its tenth year, the LCLD Fellows Program is an ambitious, highly structured initiative built to increase diversity at the leadership levels of the nation’s law firms and corporate legal departments.

The LCLD Pathfinder Program is designed to train both in-house and law firm attorneys in critical career-development strategies including leadership and the building of professional networks. Pathfinders are selected by leaders at LCLD member corporations and law firms and have been identified as diverse, early-career emerging leaders who have, or have the potential to, distinguish themselves within their organization.

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a growing organization of more than 350 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. Liskow is continually seeking opportunities to expand its knowledge and awareness around diversity and inclusion and the firm is proud to collaborate with organizations, such as the LCLD, that are also committed to making the legal industry more diverse and inclusive

Liskow Celebrates Pride Month

less than a minute

Liskow, the Diversity Committee, and the firm’s I.D.E.A.L. group (Interoffice Diversity Engagement at Liskow), wish to recognize the conclusion of Pride Month 2021. Tomorrow, June 26, marks the sixth anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644, which recognized, after a decades-long fight, same-sex couples’ fundamental constitutional right to marriage. Monday, June 28, marks a more somber occasion—the 52nd anniversary of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City. During the targeted police raid on members of the LGBTQ+ community, the community fought back, triggering a newfound national discussion on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and a renewed fight for equality and justice. The firm is proud to support equality for all persons, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As part of this commitment to equality, the firm recently became a signatory to the Houston Bar Association’s updated 2021 Gender Fairness Commitment Statement, which, among other goals, commits signatories “to develop and implement objective and unbiased criteria and procedures for achieving equity and interrupting bias.” While this statement is an important step in the right direction, further work needs to be done to specifically affirm minority and LGBTQ+ groups. The firm is committed to doing that work, and to maintaining an environment welcoming to all persons.

For additional resources on Pride Month, LGBTQ+ information, and the Houston Bar Association’s 2021 Gender Fairness Commitment, please see:

  1. GLAAD Pride Month Resource Kit for Journalists: https://www.glaad.org/publications/pridekit
  2. Houston Bar Association: https://www.hba.org/index.cfm?pg=Gender-Fairness

Liskow Commemorates Juneteenth

2 minute read

Liskow would like to wish everyone a happy Juneteenth and, in commemoration of the holiday, to share the information and resources below:

This Saturday marks Juneteenth—also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, or Freedom Day—a holiday that commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. 

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared, as to the Confederate states in rebellion against the Union, that “all persons held as slaves…shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”  Despite that declaration, slavery persisted in many parts of the country as enforcement was dependent on the presence (and advancement) of Union troops.  In particular, slavery continued in Texas, which did not have a large presence of Union troops; in fact, many enslavers relocated to Texas following the Emancipation Proclamation because it was seen as a safe haven for slavery. 

On June 19, 1865, Union Army Gen. Gordon. Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas: “all slaves are free.”  Then, in December of that year, slavery was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

Beginning in 1866, Texans celebrated Juneteenth in a variety of ways, including parades, cookouts, prayer gatherings, and other community events.  Some African-American communities celebrated by collecting money to buy property: In 1872, an African-American community in Houston pooled $1,000 to put down on ten acres of land for use in their Juneteenth celebration; that land is now known as Emancipation Park. 

While Juneteenth celebrations were originally limited to Texas, they soon spread across the country as African-Americans migrated to new cities.  Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday on January 1, 1980; other states have since followed suit, either by marking Juneteenth as a holiday or an observance.  On June 11, 2021, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a Louisiana state holiday.  Then, on June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which established Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Juneteenth is celebrated across the country by people of various backgrounds.  Juneteenth also presents an opportunity for reflection and conversation on the history and legacy of racism in this country, and on work that still needs to be done to address racial injustice and discrimination in the present day.

For more information on the history of Juneteenth, Juneteenth celebrations, and ways to celebrate this Saturday, some additional resources are linked below:

All Claims Dismissed for Client

less than a minute

An inland marine client was involved in a multi-party, multi-vessel fleeting incident that resulted in a Jones Act seaman’s personal injuries including allegations of traumatic brain injury.  The court granted summary judgment on all claims of unseaworthiness against the client, and after a weeklong bench trial in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division, the client’s Complaint for Exoneration from and Limitation of Liability was granted exonerating the client and dismissing all claims against the client with prejudice. The trial team consisted of Liskow maritime lawyers Michael Golemi, Lauren Bridges, and Jody Schisel-Meslin.

Liskow Commemorates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

less than a minute

In the United States, May is recognized as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a month dedicated to recognizing the history, contributions, and achievements of the AANHPI community in this country. 

In his April 30, 2021 Proclamation commemorating the beginning of AANHPI Heritage Month, President Biden explained: “Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our Nation more vibrant through diversity of cultures, languages, and religions. There is no single story of the AANHPI experience, but rather a diversity of contributions that enrich America’s culture and society and strengthen the United States’ role as a global leader. The American story as we know it would be impossible without the strength, contributions, and legacies of AANHPIs who have helped build and unite this country in each successive generation.”

Liskow joins communities across the country in commemorating AANHPI Heritage Month—and in recognizing and celebrating the achievements and contributions of AANHPI individuals. 

Below are some links to resources to learn more:

  • Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: New Orleans Public Library’s list of recommended books and films (for kids and adults) in commemoration of AANHPI Month.
  • Asian Americans: A PBS documentary that documents challenges and contributions of the Asian American community.
  • NAPABA Stand Against Hate: Website for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Stand Against Hate campaign, which includes links to webinars, trainings, and other information about how to combat anti-Asian harassment and violence.

If you would like to learn more about Liskow’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, please contact the firm’s Chief Diversity Officer. 

Trinity Morale was honored as finalists at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Louisiana Young Lawyers Conference

less than a minute

Congratulations Trinity Morale who was honored as finalists at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Louisiana Young Lawyers Conference in May. Trinity was nominated for the Pro Bono Award.

“The purpose of the Young Lawyers Division is to foster discussions and interchange of ideas relative to the duties, responsibilities and problems of the younger members of the legal profession in the State of Louisiana; to aid in their advancement; to encourage their interest and participation in the activities of the Louisiana State Bar Association, and, in general, to further the purposes and objectives of the LSBA. This site is a public service of the LSBA-YLD Council, providing YLD information to the public, communicating with YLD members.”

Liskow & Lewis joins the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

less than a minute

Liskow & Lewis is now a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). The LCLD is an organization of more than 350 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who have pledged themselves to create a truly diverse U.S. legal profession. Liskow & Lewis is continually seeking opportunities to expand its knowledge and awareness around diversity and inclusion and the firm looks forward to collaborating with other organizations that are also committed to making the legal industry more diverse and inclusive. In addition to collaborating with other firms, the LCLD also provides opportunities for diverse lawyers to receive professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, and relationship-building opportunities.

Liskow & Lewis believe diversity and inclusion are much more than a statement, and we know that a diverse legal team produces better results and is what is best for our clients. The firm is constantly introducing new initiatives to promote and retain diverse attorneys and to promote and ensure an inclusive work culture. Our pursuit of inclusion encompasses gender equality, ethnic diversity, disabilities, and the acceptance of individual lifestyle choices and expressions. For information on how to join the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, click here.