Laura Derbonne Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Draft comprehensive case updates and documents, including a motion to reduce costs and correct the record and an appellate brief to the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. Conduct client interviews, manage case files, and maintain records of all client interactions and case developments. Collaborate with supervising attorneys and peers to ensure thorough and accurate legal representation.

Conduct in-depth research on national space laws and regulations for the Space Court Law Library project. Author and contribute to the United States chapter of the Big Book of Space Law. Collaborate with legal experts to create and maintain a precise and up-to-date space law database.

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Vol. 49; Select cases for the case note competition, guide Junior Members through the case note and comment writing processes by approving topic proposals and providing feedback and substantive edits on their work, and grade and select which student works will be published. Oversee a team of 6 Notes and Comments Editors.

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Vol. 48; Case note on the implications of Death on the High Seas Act claim preemption on aviation and space law selected for print publication: Navigating Uncharted Air? Ambiguity, Legal Challenges, and Unresolved Questions in DOHSA’s Commercial Aviation Exception and In re Lion Air Flight JT 610 Crash, 48 Tul. Mar. L. J. 537 (2024).Awarded the 2024 A.N. Yiannopoulos Award for Outstanding Substance and Citation Editing by a Junior Member for contributions to the editing of articles to be published.

Assistant Editor for Professor Martin Davies’s Chinese Maritime Cases project. Analyze cases from the Shanghai International Shipping Institute to understand maritime decisions in China, edit English translations for clarity and grammar, and write headnotes summarizing holdings. Cases are bound in printed volumes and published online.

Research Assistant for Professor Saru Matambanadzo on issues surrounding disability in employment.

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Represent and promote Lexis through training sessions, table and demo sessions, and online and on-campus events. Assist other students with Lexis and legal research questions and serve as a point of contact between the school and Lexis. Manage the Instagram account for LexisNexis at Tulane Law.

The National Disabled Law Students Association is a non-profit organization established to enable and empower disabled law students from the moment they decide to take the LSAT to the time they're hired as attorneys and to serve as forward-facing advocates for disability diversity in legal education and the legal profession. NDLSA supports disabled legal professionals before, during, and after their legal education to increase the number of disabled professionals within the field. NDLSA facilitates peer networks across the country, coordinates advocacy alongside disabled law students, and provides resources to combat the pervasive ableism in the legal field. The Co-President of External Affairs is the front-facing leader of NDLSA to the public and the point person for external communications with members, member organizations, and corporate partners.

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Worked alongside two public defenders, one handling misdemeanors and low-level felony cases and one handling serious felony cases, including life without parole. Performed legal research on issues arising out of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments. Wrote briefs, memos, motions, and writ applications to the Criminal District Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Louisiana Supreme Court. Assisted attorneys at trials and hearings. Visited clients in jail and met with their families and defense witnesses.

Performed legal research and drafted memos on issues surrounding disability rights, namely, education, employment, housing, and healthcare.

Reviewed original work and proofread copy for spelling, grammar, usage, clarity, conciseness, and factual accuracy.

Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

Worked with attorneys and paralegal staff to prepare for cases typically involving injury claims. Assisted in managing case files, handling mail and communications for the office, and served as a liaison between offices around the state.

New York, New York, United States

Worked as a teacher’s assistant and tutor in a New York City public school to teach and help fifth-grade students with English and mathematics.

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Certificate Of Concentration In Maritime Law

Activities and Societies: Tulane Maritime Law Journal (Senior Notes & Comments Editor), Tulane Law Space Society (Founder & President).

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, English And American Literature, History Minor

Activities and Societies: Undergraduate Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta, Phi Alpha Delta Society of Scholars, Gallatin Undergraduate.

Refugees, Migration, & The Legal Future Program

Abroad program at Trinity College, Cambridge. Courses: Brexit and the Migration Problem in the United Kingdom and European Union.

Maritime Law & Law Of The Sea Program

Abroad program in Rhodes, Greece. Courses: Introduction to the Law of the Sea, Maritime Personal Injury, International Conventions.

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Student Council (Treasurer), National Honor Society, Yearbook (Advertisements Editor, Sports Editor, Copy.