Understanding When Louisiana Laws Apply: A Guide to Prospective and Retroactive Effects Imagine you’re involved in a legal matter, and the legislature passes a new law. Does it affect your situation? Or does it only apply moving forward? The timing of when a law takes effect — and whether it applies to past events —
The Unforeseen Gaps: Why Laws Can’t Cover Everything Imagine Louisiana’s laws as a vast, detailed tapestry woven to guide every aspect of daily life. Even so, no legal system — no matter how comprehensive — can anticipate every possible situation. So, what happens when a dispute arises in court, and no written statute or established
Have you ever read a law and wondered what it truly means? Or found yourself facing a situation where a rule seemed to apply — but its exact implications were unclear? In Louisiana, our legal system is based on the civil law tradition, meaning that interpretation depends heavily on the Louisiana Civil Code. Understanding how
The Building Blocks of Justice: How Louisiana Laws Are Made Louisiana’s legal system is unique, drawing heavily from its Civil Code tradition. Unlike many other states that primarily rely on ‘common law’ (judge-made law), our system is rooted in comprehensive written statutes. But where do these rules come from, and how do we interpret them?
The Advocate recently recognized Attorney Jeff Berniard and the Berniard Law Firm for their role in representing families displaced by the Smitty’s Supply explosion and fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Read the full Advocate article here. The feature highlights Berniard’s track record of success in large-scale litigation. Over his career, he has served as class counsel
When the Smitty’s Supply facility erupted in flames on August 22, 2025, residents within a one-mile radius were ordered to evacuate. Families were forced from their homes, many for several days, unsure of when it would be safe to return. In the aftermath, thick soot, oily residue, and chemical contamination settled on homes, vehicles, and
The Smitty’s Supply plant explosion and fire in Roseland, Louisiana on August 22, 2025 has left the Tangipahoa Parish community shaken. Families were forced to evacuate, businesses were disrupted, and questions remain about the long-term impact of the disaster. While officials report that the fire is largely contained, many residents are still facing uncertainty—about their
The following case revolves around the intersection of farming and infrastructure development, and the legal implications when construction activities impact agricultural land. Case Background Lanie Farms, a sugarcane and soybean farming operation, sued CLECO Power and its contractor, Highlines, for damages caused during the construction of new power lines across the farmland. Lanie Farms claimed
A tragic accident involving a young boy with autism has raised questions about the legal responsibility of homeowners when someone is injured on their property. The case of Justin Stollenwerck v. Robert Schweggman, Jr., et al. explores the boundaries of a homeowner’s duty of care, especially when the injured party is the guest of a
In the realm of insurance claims and legal disputes, the concept of subrogation often plays a crucial role. Subrogation allows an insurer, after paying a claim to its insured, to step into the insured’s shoes and seek reimbursement from the party responsible for the loss. But what happens when the insured settles their claim directly
Jeffrey Berniard is a specialized injury attorney with over 21 years of experience fighting for Louisiana families.