About
NELA Bar
Foundation:
Connecting communities with
volunteer attorneys who care.
The NELA Bar Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to ensuring that everyone in Northeast Louisiana has access to justice—regardless of income.
We connect individuals and families with volunteer attorneys who generously share their time and expertise to provide legal guidance and support.
Our
Mission:
Our goal is to provide free civil legal assistance to residents across the following 14 parishes in Northeast Louisiana:
- Bienville
- Caldwell
- Claiborne
- East Carroll
- Franklin
- Jackson
- Lincoln
- Madison
- Morehouse
- Ouachita
- Richland
- Tensas
- Union
- West Carroll
Established in 2023, our work is rooted in the belief that justice should never be out of reach. We strive to preserve and strengthen the legal system, increase public understanding of the law, and advance the promise of equal justice for all.
From small towns to larger communities, our mission reaches every corner of the region—ensuring that individuals and families have access to free civil legal help when they need it most.
Our
Contributors:
Many thanks to our contributors!
We extend our sincerest gratitude to our donors, fellows, volunteers,
grantors, board members, and partners for their invaluable support and
dedication. Their collective contributions play a pivotal role in our
continued success. We are profoundly appreciative of their commitment.
BOARD MEMBERS:
PRESIDENT:
Wendy E. W. Giovingo
Snellings, Breard, Sartor, Inabnett & Trascher, LLP
VICE PRESIDENT:
Stacy L. Guice
E. Eugene Hastings, Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee
Secretary:
Laura Achord Tarver
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
Treasurer:
K. Lamar Walters III
Breithaupt, DuBos & Wolleson, LLC
Walter "Walt" Caldwell
Chief Judge, 4th Judicial District Court Section 2, Division E
R. Alan Breithaupt
Breithaupt, DuBos & Wolleson, LLC
J. P. Christiansen
Christiansen Law Firm
Elizabeth Pierre
Pierre & Pierre, LLC
Leah Sumrall
donors:
Hudson, Potts & Bernstein, LLP
KTVE - Louisiana Living
Grace Episcopal Church
City of Monroe
Emily P. Robinson Community Center
VOLUNTEERS:
Laura Achord
Alex Barham
Sadye Bernheim
Kiante Carter
Brandon Cheekbaum
J.P. Christiansen
Adam Cossey
Shereba Diaz
Mickey DuBos
Linda EwBank
Wendy Giovingo
Lynette Gregory
April Hammett
Tommy Hayes IV
Wesley Johnson
Devin Jones
Valerie Matherne
Denecia Miley
Jay Mitchell
Alex Rankin
Alicia Reitzell
Ty Sanderson
John Saye
Tony Tramontana
David Verlander
Lamar Walters
GRANITORS:
Jock Scott Foundation
Louisiana Bar Foundation
FELLOWS:
CHARTER
Laura Achord
Kevin Alexander
Brian Allen
Marcy Allen
Nicolas Anderson
Kent Breard, Jr.
R. Alan Breithaupt
John Bruscato
Mary Alice Bryant-Cezar
Douglas Caldwell
Guy Campbell, III
J. P. Christiansen
Adam Cossey
Emily Downs
Michael DuBos
Wendy E. W. Giovingo
Greg Green
Vicki Green
Jon Guice
Stacy Guice
April Hammett
Hon. Bruce Hampton
Thomas M. Hayes, III
Carrick R. Inabnett
Robert James
Wesley Johnson
Devin Jones
Aaron Lawrence
Mario Leija
Valerie Matherne
Jay McCalllum
Amy Miller
Hal Moffett
Milton Moore, III
John C. Morris, III
Penya Moses
Brittany Myers
Clara Sartor
Pamela Stewart
W. Michael Street
Leah Sumrall
Tony Tramontana
David Verlander
Lamar Walters
Keith Whiddon
Scott Wolleson
SUSTAINING
Hon. Laurie Brister
J. P. Christiansen
Pamela Grady
Valerie Matherne
Tracy Oakley
Margaret Pruitt
Alex Rankin
PATRON
Mark Bodron
PARTNERS:
City of Monroe
Wesley Eby Johnson
United Way
Be The
Difference.
One act of service can
change a life.
From attorneys who volunteer their skills to supporters who believe in fairness, every contribution strengthens our community.
Together, we can make justice accessible for everyone.