Louisiana taxpayers spent $1.2 million on judges' Florida retreat

Louisiana taxpayers paid $1.18 million for judges to attend an annual training conference in Florida from 2022 to 2025.

The funds covered travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees. This total comes from a review of records by more than 40 state courts. The figure may be an undercount because not all court records were obtained. The annual event, known as Summer School, has been held in the Destin area since 1988.

The Louisiana Supreme Court mandates that judges complete 12.5 hours of continuing education each year. Five of those hours must be completed at an in-person seminar hosted by the Louisiana Judicial College. The college coordinates with the Louisiana State Bar Association to select the venue. While the college's board includes judges, the majority of attendees do not vote on the location. The court places caps on nightly lodging rates and annual travel budgets.

State Rep. Jerome Zeringue has long argued that the conference could be held within state lines. He noted that no location in Louisiana appears unable to meet the specific requirements for the event. Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, agreed that the availability of in-state options supports his view. He stated that the existence of conferences within Louisiana acknowledges that continuing legal education can be obtained locally.

Curtis Joseph, president of the Louisiana State Bar Association, defended the choice of the Sandestin resort. He explained that the venue offers a single location for all programmatic needs. Joseph argued that most New Orleans hotels capable of handling the group without a convention center are limited. He claimed that only one New Orleans hotel responded to recent requests for proposals. He said the costs there would be higher than in Florida.

Zeringue countered that holding the event in New Orleans would save money for local judges who could drive to the venue. The Louisiana Supreme Court stated that Sandestin aligns with security best practices by centralizing the event in one safe location. Joseph said the resort is expected to host the conference again in 2027 and 2028.