Join your fellow members at our Annual Retreat to be held on
September 13-14, 2024

Grand Centennial Plaza (https://centennialplazams.com) in Gulfport, MS.

The absolute last day to confirm your registration will be August 2^nd.

The ALA New Orleans Chapter’s annual retreat will be held at the Centennial Plaza in Gulfport, Mississippi on September 13-14, 2024.  ALA will pay the following for all active & lifetime members: Hotel room for Friday night, Friday night cocktail party (additional fee is required for guests) and Saturday morning breakfast (ALA members only).  If you wish to extend your stay at the resort for Thursday, September 12th, and/or Saturday, September 14^th, reduced room rates are available ($189 for King or Double Queen plus applicable taxes).  You will be solely responsible for payment of the additional night(s) and/or any upgrades.  The only fee due to the Chapter at the time of registration is your guest fee for the Casino Night, payable either through the credit card link or check to the Chapter. Members are responsible for paying the Centennial for additional lodging or any other amenities upon checkout.  (See attached document for additional comments regarding cancellation or n0-show policies.)

Schedule of Events:

FRIDAY, September 13th, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Our theme this year for our Friday night party will be CASINO NIGHT!

Are you feeling lucky?  Dress to impress in BLACK, RED, and WHITE attire as we roll the dice, spin the wheel, and deal the cards for a FUN evening of food, beverages, entertainment, and dancing, of course!  Several gaming tables will be available with some starting chips to get you rolling!

Costume Contest and Cash Prizes!
Get ready and stand out!

SATURDAY, September 14th, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m. for Members and then enjoy Mimosa's at 8:30 a.m. with the King of Mardi Gras - Sal Cannatella!



Education Session begins at 9:00

Topic: Mental Health Essentials for Firm Leaders

It is well known that the rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health challenges are higher for attorneys and others who work in the legal industry than in other professions. Recent industry surveys show that the mental health of individuals in the legal sector has not significantly improved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts predict that many more individuals will experience mental health challenges and that those challenges will continue to factor into our collective well-being for the foreseeable future.

Law firm leaders are at the forefront of this mental health crisis. When firms equip their leaders with essential skills for having conversations about mental health with their colleagues and those they are leading, they are strengthening their skills and creating a culture of care that is essential for attorney well-being.

This program is designed to provide leaders with practical techniques for supporting individuals who may be experiencing a mental health or well-being challenge. This highly interactive workshop helps participants quickly identify and handle these situations and get more comfortable having potentially uncomfortable conversations.

 Core concepts covered:

• The mental health macro environment, including data about ongoing mental health and substance use issues in the legal industry.
• How law firm leaders can lead when it comes to mental health.
• Signs and symptoms of potential emerging mental health challenges.
• How to help others dealing with mental health challenges.
• How to support one’s own mental health.

Speaker: (introduction by the King of Mardi Gras - Sal Cannatella)

Jessie Spressart
Managing Director
Optia Consulting

Jessie is the Founder and Managing Director of Optia Consulting. She brings nearly twenty years of experience in talent management and law firm professional development to her coaching and consulting practice.
Jessie founded Optia with the mission to help legal organizations improve well-being through solutions designed to capitalize on the strengths of each generation in the workforce today. Optia provides consulting and training on management and leadership skills, mental health, and well-being in the workplace.

In addition to speaking extensively with firms, corporations and law schools about mental health and well-being, Jessie is certified by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as an instructor for Mental Health First Aid. She has published articles in Law Practice Today, PD Quarterly, and the IWIL Catalyst. 

Prior to founding Optia, Jessie worked in consulting and spent more than a decade building and leading the professional development department at a law firm in Washington DC. Jessie is an ICF-accredited executive coach, holds Master’s degrees from Fordham University and St. Andrews University, and has earned a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.  

CLM CREDIT

CLM^®Application Credit: 3 hour(s) of Self-Management Skills

CLM^® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 3 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.

CLM^® Recertification Credit: 3 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)