Phelps Lawyers Installed in Leadership Roles at Baton Rouge Bar Association

BATON ROUGE – Phelps partner Dennis Blunt and associate Monica M. Vela-Vick were installed to the leadership of the Baton Rouge Bar Association at a ceremony January 8, 2020, at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Dennis was installed as the 91st President of the bar association. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick presided over the installation and provided Dennis with the oath of office.

Dennis is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice and focuses on complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts. He represents clients in matters involving business torts, products liability, casualty litigation, lender liability and officer and director disputes. Dennis has represented clients across a wide spectrum of industries including public utilities, education, healthcare, insurance and financial institutions.

Active in the Baton Rouge community, Dennis serves on the Board of Directors of the Companion Animal Alliance, Treasurer of the Public Affairs Research Council, Chairman of the Board of the Capital Area Finance Authority, and has previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

Monica was installed as a member of the bar association’s Board of Directors. At Phelps, she practices in the area of litigation, focusing on commercial litigation and tort defense. She advises and represents clients in all stages of litigation, including pre-suit issues, discovery, motion practice, and trial.

As a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association, Monica has previously served as Chairwoman of the Region III High School Mock Trial Committee and the Teen Court of Greater Baton Rouge, and on the Holiday Star Committee, Res Judicata Committee and Youth Education Committee.

The Baton Rouge Bar Association has been serving the legal profession and the public for more than 88 years. With a voluntary membership of over 2400 lawyers, the Baton Rouge Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in the State of Louisiana. It has long held a record of being one of the most active and innovative bar associations in the United States.

The organization is managed by its officers and board of directors who are elected by the membership.

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