LSU CLE deeply appreciates the generosity of the speakers who volunteer their time and expertise toward the goal of presenting a program of the very highest quality.

Ronald Scalise
Professor Ronald J. Scalise Jr.
Tulane University Law School
Ronald J. Scalise Jr. is the Eason-Weinmann Chair of International and Comparative Law and the Director of the Eason-Weinmann Center at Tulane University Law School. He previously held the John Minor Wisdom and the A.D Freeman professorships at Tulane and the McGlinchey Stafford professorship at the LSU law school, where he taught from 2004 to 2009. In his more than two decades of teaching, he has continuously taught both common-law Trusts and Estates and civil-law Successions, Donations, and Trusts.

His scholarship focuses both on domestic trusts and estates issues as well as comparative and civil law perspectives on successions. He has authored an extensive number of law review articles, book chapters, and treatise updates. He is the editor for the Thomson Reuters edition of the Louisiana Civil Code and the primary author for the annual updates for six volumes of the Louisiana Civil Law Treatise series. Professor Scalise has spoken, taught, or lectured in a variety of foreign countries, including the UK (Cambridge), France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Malta, Scotland, Hong Kong, Canada, and South Africa. He has also served as a visiting scholar as the Max-Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg, Germany, and currently serves as a Professeur Invité at the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas.

Professor Scalise has served on numerous law reform projects on both the state and national level, including as Reporter for both the Successions and Donations Committee and the Trust Code Committee of the Louisiana State Law Institute as well as the Reporter for the Uniform Law Commission's committees on the Community Property Disposition at Death Act and the Conflict of Laws in Trusts and Estates Act.

Professor Scalise's national and international work has also garnered him a number of accolades and recognitions. He is a member of the American Law Institute, an associate member of the International Academy of Comparative Law, the Treasurer of the American Society of Comparative Law, an academician in the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, and an academic fellow in the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel (ACTEC). He currently serves as the Southern Regional Chair and the Louisiana State Chair for ACTEC and is a member of the Board of Regents. He also currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Louisiana State Bar Association.
Geralyn Siefker
Mrs. Geralyn Siefker
Faith House, Family Justice Center of Acadiana
Geralyn Siefker serves as the 15th Judicial District Court Hearing Officer for Acadia and Vermilion Parishes.

She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has lived and worked in Lafayette, Louisiana for the last 11 ½ years. She graduated from LSU in May of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science, went on to law school at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law obtaining her Juris Doctor (JD) in May of 2012, and passed the bar exam in October of 2012. Geralyn is a Hearing Officer with Family Court for the 15th Judicial District Court in Acadia and Vermilion Parishes. Prior to working for Family Court, Geralyn worked for ten years as the managing attorney with Faith House housed at the Family Justice Center of Acadiana representing survivors of domestic violence. In 2015, she won the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Advocate of the Year Award for the State of Louisiana.

While in private practice, Geralyn served on the executive committee of the Lafayette Bar Association Paula K. Woodruff Family Law Section from 2016 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2022. She was also member of the section’s Legislative Review Committee in 2015. During her time in private practice, Geralyn presented numerous legal seminars on representing clients in protective orders and other continuing legal education courses through the Lafayette Bar Association. She also contributed countless hours to pro bono services through the Lafayette Bar Association and served on the Pro Bono Advisory Committee until 2023. Her pro bono work earned her numerous awards throughout her years of service most recently receiving the Lafayette Bar Association Champions of Justice Ally of the Year Award in 2023.

Geralyn is currently a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Lafayette Bar Association, and the Lafayette Bar Association Paula K. Woodruff Family Law Section. She is a former member of the John M. Duhe, Jr. American Inn of Court, Lafayette Chapter from 2013 to 2018.

Geralyn is married to Danny Siefker, and they have four wonderful children: Eleanor, Mary-Margaret, Charlotte, and Gabriel.
Geralyn Siefker
Mrs. Geralyn Bordelon Siefker
15th Judicial District Court
Geralyn Siefker serves as the 15th Judicial District Court Hearing Officer for Acadia and Vermilion Parishes.

She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has lived and worked in Lafayette, Louisiana for the last 11 ½ years. She graduated from LSU in May of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science, went on to law school at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law obtaining her Juris Doctor (JD) in May of 2012, and passed the bar exam in October of 2012. Geralyn is a Hearing Officer with Family Court for the 15th Judicial District Court in Acadia and Vermilion Parishes. Prior to working for Family Court, Geralyn worked for ten years as the managing attorney with Faith House housed at the Family Justice Center of Acadiana representing survivors of domestic violence. In 2015, she won the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Advocate of the Year Award for the State of Louisiana.

While in private practice, Geralyn served on the executive committee of the Lafayette Bar Association Paula K. Woodruff Family Law Section from 2016 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2022. She was also member of the section’s Legislative Review Committee in 2015. During her time in private practice, Geralyn presented numerous legal seminars on representing clients in protective orders and other continuing legal education courses through the Lafayette Bar Association. She also contributed countless hours to pro bono services through the Lafayette Bar Association and served on the Pro Bono Advisory Committee until 2023. Her pro bono work earned her numerous awards throughout her years of service most recently receiving the Lafayette Bar Association Champions of Justice Ally of the Year Award in 2023.

Geralyn is currently a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Lafayette Bar Association, and the Lafayette Bar Association Paula K. Woodruff Family Law Section. She is a former member of the John M. Duhe, Jr. American Inn of Court, Lafayette Chapter from 2013 to 2018.

Geralyn is married to Danny Siefker, and they have four wonderful children: Eleanor, Mary-Margaret, Charlotte, and Gabriel.
Dwazendra Smith
Ms. Dwazendra J. Smith
D. Smith Legal, L.L.C.
Dwazendra J. Smith is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She is a solo practitioner at D. Smith Legal, L.L.C. in Lafayette, Louisiana. She is licensed in Louisiana and Texas and a board-certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. In addition to Family Law, her practice includes, but is not limited to, Criminal defense (state and federal), Personal Injury (state and federal), Estate Planning, and appellate work. She also provides pro bono services and is the Chair of the Pro Bono Advisory Committee for the Lafayette Bar Association. She served as the President of the Lafayette Young Lawyers Association for the 2015 – 2016 term and was both the first Black and first Black female President.

Ms. Smith is a 2009 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC). During her law school matriculation, she served as the Student Bar Association President (2008-2009) and 2L Class President (2007-2008). She also served on the Moot Court Board, was a pupil of the American Inns of Court, and the Symposium Editor of the inaugural board for Southern University Law Center’s second law journal, the Journal of Race, Gender, and Poverty. She was also a member of various organizations such as the Criminal Law Society, Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). She was the recipient of the ALI – ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award, the Chancellor’s Leadership Award, and the CALI Award for the highest grades in Legal Writing and Security Devices.

Prior to graduating from SULC, she was a summer extern for the late Honorable Ralph E. Tyson of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana and summer intern for retired Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Smith attended Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSU-S) and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2006. She achieved all of this while being a single mother to her beloved daughter, Dhaija, who is an honorary graduate of SULC.

Ms. Smith is currently a member of the Lafayette Parish Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Acadiana Inns of Court. She is admitted to practice in all Louisiana and Texas state courts and before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Smith has always led a life of service and has provided pro bono services for almost fifteen years, receiving numerous accolades for same. However, she does not do it for the awards or recognition. She has always wanted to be an attorney since childhood to help others and to truly make a difference in the world. Throughout her legal career, she has always been motivated to volunteer and serve others because she feels that regardless of socioeconomic status, everyone should have access to the legal system and access to attorneys who will zealously represent them. Ms. Smith is honored and elated to be a part of this event, and she looks forward to speaking with everyone, motivating everyone, and answering any questions.
Shayna Sonnier
Ms. Shayna L. Sonnier
Veron Bice, LLC
Shayna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and ultimately, a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. Since 2005 she has focused on general litigation, family law, estate planning, and successions, and licensed both in Louisiana and Texas. Shayna recently joined Veron Bice, LLC and became the President-Elect of the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Early in her life, Shayna witnessed the value of a skilled attorney as her family faced a significant legal battle, and this experience inspired her to pursue a career in law. She is passionate about her faith, family, community, and work and volunteers her time as part of numerous organizations and associations. Peers will attest some of the many characteristics that set Shayna apart are both her ability to establish trust with her clients as well as her hands-on approach to every case.

In her free time, Shayna enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and animals, and traveling. Her favorite quote is, “We live as though the world were as it should be, to show it what it can be.”
Frank Tranchina
Mr. Frank P. Tranchina Jr.
Attorney
Tranchina Law, LLC
http://www.Tranchinalawfirm.com
Frank P. Tranchina, Jr., is a partner in the law firm ofTranchina Law, L.L.C. He received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1979. He is Board Certified in Family Law by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and is also licensed in the State of California. He is a fell ow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a past chairman of the Family Law sections of the Louisiana State and Jefferson Bar Associations as well as co-chair of the board certification committee for family law practitioners when first introduced to Louisiana. In addition, Mr. Tranchina has been a frequent lecturer at seminars and conferences throughout Louisiana. Since 1995, he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and has been identified in Who's Who in American Law since 2000. In 2007, he was inducted into the Academy of Court Appointed Masters. He has also been listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers magazine since its first publication in 2007 and in Northern California Super Lawyers magazine since 2015.

Mr. Tranchina was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to the Family Court Rules Committee selected to recommend uniform rules for Family and Domestic Relations Court across the State of Louisiana. He frequently acts as Special Master on complex community property cases and has been appointed by family court judges as an expert witness. In 2014, he was qualified in the Los Angeles Superior Court as an expert on Louisiana law and testified regarding the validity of a transsexual marriage that took place in Louisiana. In 2016, he was also qualified in the Circuit Court of Prince William County, State of Virginia, as an expert in Louisiana Community Property.

Mr. Tranchina served as a member of the Marriage - Persons Committee for the Louisiana State Law Institute. Most recently, he has been inducted into the International Academy of Family Lawyers. He has also been named "2019 and 2024 Lawyer of the Year in Family Law" by Best Lawyers in America.