Civil Litigation

About the Section

Student practitioners in the Civil Litigation section represent children in cases such as: intra-family and private adoptions, avowal and disavowal of paternity, successions, name change, attorney for the child in highly contested custody cases, limited interdictions, continuing tutorship and prepare Power of Attorney and Wills. Additionally, in coordination with the Immigration section, students represent unaccompanied minors in Special Immigrant Juvenile proceedings in Juvenile court. Students also work with the Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative to offer legal services to incarcerated or recently released persons in Jefferson, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany Parishes to resolve legal issues for these participants including traffic, custody, misdemeanor attachments, divorce, and child support in an effort to help them successfully reenter the community. Students may also work with the court and a team of professionals to help families referred to the Family Preservation Court program after their children have been removed from their homes due to drug addiction.

Meet the Professor

Professor Fernandez teaches the Civil Litigation section.

Ramona Fernandez

Learn more about Prof. Fernandez.

Successes

During the Fall 2024 semester, the section secured a favorable judgment in a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) case for two minor children from Honduras—a middle school-aged child and his elementary school-aged sister—determining that it is in their best interest to remain in the United States in their mother's custody. This decision reunites the brother with his mother and younger sister, ensuring they can grow up together in a safe and stable home, with no risk of returning to unsafe conditions in Honduras.

Two students, Brenna Farrell and Hector Belarmino, conducted a two day custody trial where they represented the 2 minors. The students conducted direct examination on two experts and five lay witnesses at the 29th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Charles, with the Honorable Rochelle Champagne Fahrig, presiding.

Student practitioner, Bikhari Reyes, successfully obtained a custody judgement with special finding for SIJ status for a mother of three children ages 7 to 17 years old. The mother and her children are from Honduras and the family have been the victim of physical and sexual abuse by the father of the children. The children can now apply to obtain Lawful Permanent Status in the U.S. The case was heard by Judge Desiree Cook-Calvin at the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.

Student practitioners, Eduardo Chamah Nicolas and James Wakeland successfully tried a custody trial where they represented a minor child. The students conducted a direct examination of the court appointed experts. The Honorable Bernadette D'Souza, Orleans Parish Civil District Court, presiding.

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