Attorneys

Winston Decuir Sr.

Winston G. DeCuir, Sr. is senior partner in the law firm and practices in the areas of Education, Governmental, Commercial and Tort Litigation. Mr. DeCuir has been in the practice of law for more than 30 years and began his career in the Louisiana Department of Justice where he rose to the position of Chief of Civil Division. Prior to his law career Mr. DeCuir was an accountant at the University of Michigan and Xavier University in New Orleans.

Education

  • Juris Doctorate – Louisiana State University Law Center
  • Bachelor of Science – Xavier University of Louisiana

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Louisiana Bar Association
  • Louisiana Supreme Court
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Districts Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • United States Court of Federal Claims

Awards and Affiliations

  • Recipient, Earl Warren Legal Defense Foundation Scholarship
  • Judge Pro Tempore, Baton Rouge City Court 1989 and 1995
  • Commissioner Ad Hoc, East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court 1989
  • Member Governor’s Task Force on Criminal Justice
  • Member of Board of Trustees of the LSU Law Center 2007
  • Member Louisiana Bar Association
  • Member Baton Rouge Bar Association
  • Committee on Professional Responsibility
  • Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association
  • Camp Fire USA Baton Rouge Board of Directors
  • Private Practitioner of the Year Louis A. Martinet Society
  • NAACP Life Time Achievement Award
  • Southern University Lab School Foundation Past Chairman
  • LSU Rural Life Museum Board

Positions

  • Assistant Attorney General Louisiana 1975-1989
  • Chief – Civil Division 1988-1989
  • Chief – Education Section 1980-1988
  • Director – Unfair Trade Practices Section 1976-1980
  • Member Board of Directors Capital Area Legal Services Corporation 1982-1989
  • Member Southern University Chapter American Inn of Court
  • Instructor Louisiana State University School of Paralegal Studies
  • Adjunct Professor LSU Law Center
  • Adjunct Professor Education Law University of New Orleans
  • Past Member Louisiana State Law Institute

 

Linda Law Clark, Partner

Linda Law Clark is a partner in the law firm of DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P. Ms. Clark is an experienced trial lawyer as well as a certified mediator. Ms. Clark’s principal areas of practice are general civil litigation, administrative hearings for quasi­ governmental and governmental bodies, education, employment law and public finance. Ms. Clark serves as Arbiter in Baton Rouge City Court. Ms. Clark is admitted to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts.

Education

  • Juris Doctorate – Louisiana State University Paul Hebert Law School, 1993
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Wells College, 1972

 Bar and Court Admissions

  •   Louisiana Supreme Court and all Louisiana State Courts
  •   United States Supreme Court
  •   United States Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit
  •   United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana

 Awards and Affiliations

  • Baton Rouge Bar Association – President 2018
  • Lawyer of Distinction 2018
  • Girl Scouts Louisiana East: Women of Distinction Honoree 2013
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association: 1,000 Hours Century Club Pro Bono Award 2013
  • Cambridge Who’ s Who: Top 101 Industry Experts 2010
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association: David Hamilton Pro Bono Award 2005
  • Louisiana State Bar Association: David Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award 2003
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association: President’ s Award 2000 and 2016
  • American Jurisprudence Award: Criminal Law 1993; T01ts II 1993
  • LSU Law School: Order of the Coif Recipient 1993; Hall of Fame 1993
  • Outstanding Women of the Year Nominee 1993
  • Louisiana State University Law Review 1991-1993
  • Audubon Girl Scout Council: Thanks Badge – 1985
  • Audubon Girl Scout Council: Appreciation Pin – 1980
  • Who’s Who Among Outstanding High School Students 1968
  • Louisiana State Bar Association: Member and Former Co-Chair LSBA Access to Justice Committee
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation: Fellow; Member – Education Committee; Chair
  • Capitol Area Community Partners hip Panel 2017-2018
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association: Executive Committee, Director-at-Large; Chair/Co-Chair and Member of Pro Bono Panel for 20 years; Chair of Membership Committee; Co-Chair of Expo Committee; Volunteer Committee and Thirst for Justice Legal Services’ Program Volunteer
  • Girl Scouts Louisiana East: 1st Vice-President, Board Member, 2009-2016
  • American Bar Association
  • Fifth Circuit Court: Federal Bar Association
  • Baton Rouge Association of Women Attorneys
  • Phi Kappa Phi 1993
  • American Association of University Women
  • YWCA: Board Member and Committee Chairs
  • League of Women Voters of Louisiana and Baton Rouge: Board Member; Committee Chair
  • University Presbyterian Church: Elder; Presbytery of South Louisiana, Committee Chair for the Committee on Representation
  • Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce: Leadership Baton Rouge
  • Louisiana PTA: Officer and Board member – State and local levels
  • East Baton Rouge Parish School Board: Chair of East Baton Rouge Commission on Excellence, the Ford Foundation Dropout Prevention Collaborative and the East Baton Rouge Parish Magnet Schools Review Committee; member of the Governor’s Coalition of Leading Educational Organizations and the Governor’s Children First Committee
  • Public Education Advocate, lobbyist for non-profit education groups at both the State and Federal levels 1978-1990

 Papers & Presentations

  • “Professionalism in the Law”: Louisiana State Bar 1997; “Professionalism” National American Inns of Court, 1998; Young Lawyers Conference Association, 1998; “Professionalism” Loyola Annual CLE -1998, 1999, 2000
  • FERPA Regulations & Information Annual Workshops: State Educators 1995- Present
  • “Sexual Harassment – Supervisor & Employee” Annual Workshops, 2001 – Present
  • “Higher Education & the Law – Legal Updates”: State Educators 1995-Present, LSBA and BRAWA
  • Litigation Skills: A Short Course for Paralegals – 2008
  • Trial Preparation in the 21st Century – Paper versus Computer – 2008
  • Super Women CLE Workshop Presenter-2010 (Paul Hebe1t Law School)
  • Professionalism Workshop Presenter (LSU Law School) – 2008 Present
  • Professionalism Workshop Presenter (Southern Law School) – 2008 Present
  • Legislative Lobbying Workshops for Nonprofit Organizations 1986-1993

 

Michael R. D. Adams, Partner

Michael R. D. Adams is a partner in the law firm of DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P. Mr. Adams’ principal areas of practice are general civil litigation, commercial transactions, insurance regulation, mass tort, pharmaceutical defense and public finance. Mr. Adams also provides advice to small businesses and non- profits.

Education

  • Juris Doctorate – Southern University Law Center, 1988
  • Bachelor of Science Economics – Southern University, 1985

 Bar and Court Admissions

  • Member Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member Louis A. Martinet Law Society
  • Member Baton Rouge Bar Association
  • Louisiana Supreme Court and all Louisiana state courts
  • United State Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit
  • United States Districts Comts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • Court Appointed Receiver of 4 Failed Insurance Companies (2 Prope1ty and Casualty and 2 Life Insurance Companies) 2004 – 2015

 Awards and Affiliations

  • Hearing Committee Chair, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board 2012-2017
  • Board of Director WRKF, Public Radio
  • Past Guest Lecturer International Society of Insurance Receivers
  • National General Counsel, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
  • Past Chairman of Board of Directors for Capital Area Legal Services
  • Board of Directors for 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge
  • Past National President of Southern University National Alumni Federation
  • Past Member of Louisiana Advisory Council to the United States Civil Rights Commission
  • Past Board of Directors of Capital Area Baseball League
  • Past Chairman of Scholarship/Education Ministry of Gloryland Baptist Church
  • Chairman Deacon Board of Gloryland Baptist Church
  • Board of Directors of A. C. Lewis Branch YMCA
  • Basileus of Lambda Kappa Kappa Graduate Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.,
  • Past Board of Directors ofMLK Foundation
  • Chairman of Legal Services Committee for Baton Rouge Bar Association 1994
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Cedar Finance Company 1995
  • Past Southern University Athletic Counsel
  • Past Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors for University Development Corporation
  • Baton Rouge Business Report 1995 and 2004
  • Southern University Moot Court Board Award
  • America’s Outstanding Names and Faces
  • Who’s Who Among American Law Students
  • Director of Litigation for Louisiana Receivership Office, Inc. 1996-2013
  • Assistant Attorney General Counsel 1988-1992
  • General Counsel to Southern University National Alumni Federation 1989-1997
  • Assistant to City Prosecutor, Baker, Louisiana 1987-1988
  • Student Government Association President 1984-1985

 

Brandon J. DeCuir, LL.M, Partner

Brandon J. DeCuir is a partner of DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P. Mr. DeCuir joined the firm in 2002 working mainly in the area of Commercial and Employment Litigation. In 2004 Mr. DeCuir earned a Masters in Tax Law from Southern Methodist University and expanded his practice to include the areas of Public Finance, Taxation, and Trust. He also has extensive experience in the area of affordable housing and tax credits. Mr. DeCuir also represents several significant housing authorities including their non-profit development organizations.

Education

  • Masters in Taxation (LL.M.) – Southern Methodist University, 2004
  • Juris Doctorate (J.D.)- Southern University Law Center, 2002
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Psychology – Xavier University of Louisiana, 1999

 Court Admissions

  • Louisiana State Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeal Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • United States Tax Court
  • Awards and Affiliations

 Louisiana Bar Association

  • Baton Rouge Bar Association
  • Coastal Conservation Association
  • Treasurer Southern University Student Bar Association 2001-2002
  • Board member, and Chapter Counsel for Louisiana March of Dimes
  • Board member, Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy
  • Board member, Hope Ministries
  • Board member, Valley Park Civic Association
  • Greater Baton Rouge Area Leadership
  • Baton Rouge Business Report 40 under 40
  • Member, Louisiana Tax Law Institute

 Positions 

  • Southern University Law Center, Adjunct Professor of Law
  • Faculty Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
  • Louisiana Department of Justice
  • Terry Butcher & Associates

 

Kristy M. Brumfield

Kristy M. Brumfield is an associate of the law firm DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P.  Dr. Brumfield grew up in Opelousas, Louisiana. She was admitted to the Louisiana bar in May 2020 and the U.S. District Courts, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Alonzo Harris of the 27th Judicial District Court.  Her robust background in the STEM disciplines greatly informs her current areas of practice in education and civil litigation.

 Education

  • Juris Doctorate – Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, 2017
  • Erasmus Intensive Programme Certificate, European Private Law – University of Salzburg, 2014
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Biochemistry (Ph.D.) – Louisiana State University, 2009
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology – Xavier University of Louisiana, 2003

 Awards and Affiliations

  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Federal Bar Association
  • Member, Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
  • Member, Rotary International
  • 2018 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Group Achievement Award
  • 2014 Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award
  • 2014 LawDragon Campus Law Student Limelight
  • 2007 National Science Foundation Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education
  • 2004 National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship

 Selected Presentations

  • “Digital Learning Network.” Online Learning Consortium Innovate, 2017.
  • “Bioinformatics Analysis of Sterol Biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.” Ivy Plus STEM Symposium, University of Pennsylvania, 2012.
  • “Our Future is at the Nanoscale!” Materials World Modules program (MWM) and Nanotechnology Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT), 2011.
  • “Identification of ERG3, a gene involved in the biosynthesis of ergosterol in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.” American Society of Plant Biologists, Hawaii, 2009.
  • “Teaching Craft for Macromolecular Creativity (CMC): The Louisiana State University IGERT Program.” National Science Foundation IGERT Project Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2006.

 Publications

  • “NASA STEM Forward to the Moon Educator’s Guide”, July 2019.
  • “A model for the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii,” European Journal of Phycology. January 2017.
  • “Functional Characterization of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ERG3 Ortholog, a Gene Involved in the Biosynthesis of Ergosterol.” PLoS ONE. January 2010.

 Case Studies

SAMPLING OF EMPLOYMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS AND CONTRACT OR COMMERCIAL CASES HANDLED BY FIRM

 

  • Epps, et al. v. USDA, EEOC No. 270-Al-9038X; Agency# 96-0326:
  • Promotion discrimination class action by current and former African American employees of the National Finance Center (NFC), on behalf of the defendants.
  • Vines, et al. v. Northwestern Louisiana University, et al, Civil Action# 3:97cv1095, United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana – Monroe Division: Age discrimination, class action by retirees against a State University, on behalf of the defendants.
  • Kipps v. Caillier, et al., 205 F.3rd 203 (1999); State employee’s discrimination action based upon association, on behalf of the defendants.
  • McJamerson v. Grambling, et al., 769 So.2d 2168 (2000); “At will” employment termination of State employees, on behalf of the defendants.
  • Hunter v. Southern University through the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering College, et al., Civil Action# 00-869-C, United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana: Race and contract discrimination claim of State employee, on behalf of the defendants.
  • Rose Powell Blakes v. Dr. William Moore, et al., Civil Action# 95-2033-A-Ml, United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana: Sex discrimination complaint against university officials, on behalf of the defendants.
  • Tammy Jefferson v. Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge, et al., Civil Action# 96-7595-B-M3, United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana: Sex discrimination complaint against State university and officials, on behalf of the defendants.
  • JD Barnett, et ux. v. Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities a/k/a University of Louisiana System, 2001 WL 700809 (La.App. 1 Cir.): Employment contract dispute, on behalf of the defendants.
  • Robert Johnson, et al v. The State of Louisiana and Southern University, #2007 CA 0189 (1st Cir. 2007): Wrongful death defense of Southern University.
  • Barnett v. Board of Trustees for State Colleges, 809 So.2d 184: Defense of termination of basketball coach.
  • Joe Page v. Grambling State University, 722 So.2d 329: Defense of employment action.
  • Patrick Devers v. Southern University, 712 So. 2d 199: Defense of drug searches in dormitories, civil rights violations.
  • Brennan v. Board of Trustees for University of Louisiana System, 691 So. 2d 324: Defense of NCAA student athlete violations.
  • Lahme v. University of Southwestern Louisiana, 692 So.2d 541: Defense of 1st amendment violations.
  • Pacificorp Capital, Inc. v. State of Louisiana, 647 So.2d 1122: Defense of purchasing regulations.
  • Hays v. Lundy and Grambling State University, 616 So.2d 265: Defense of public records violation.
  • Nash v. Belton, 190 Fed. Appx. 394 (US 5th Cir.): Termination faculty civil rights violation.
  • Vines v. University of Louisiana Monroe, 398 F.3d 700: Age discrimination claim by terminated employee (ADEA).
  • Odynocki v. Southern University Ne1,11 Orleans, 2006 WL 3230348 (E.D.La.): Defense of employment civil rights claim.
  • Robinette v. Delgado Community College, No. 99-2545 (E.D. La. 2000) 275 F.3d 1084, appeal denied, No. 01-30103(5th Cir.2001), 273 F.3d 1095: Student appeal of due process rights and constitutional t01t against community college and management board, representing all defendants.
  • Khan, et al v. Southern University A&M College, 2006 W.L. 845763 (W.D. La. 2006), 00-0255 2006 W.L. 845763 (W.D. La.): Classified university employees’ lawsuit alleging violation of Constitutional rights, intentional to1t and retaliation against university, management board and officials of both, representing all defendants.
  • ABL Management, Inc. v. Board of Supervisors of Southern University, et al, 2000-0798 (La. 11/28/00), 773 So.2d 1131: Contractual dispute on food service vendor for contract for services within System representing all defendants.
  • Cynthia Thompson v. University of Lotdsiana System, et al, 2:OV-CV-01938 (E.D. La. 2005): Student lawsuit regarding access to education due process and alleged violation of Constitutional rights representing university system, university, and officials.
  • Barilleaux, et al v. Explore Ente,prises, et al, 6:06-CV-01022 (W.D. La. 2006): Employment tort lawsuit against multiple private corporations for offshore injury on the job, representing Exxon Mobil Corporation.
  • Carol King v. Department of Corrections, et al, 3:05-CV-00106 (La. M.D. 2005): Classified employee allegation of improper termination, retaliation and violation of civil rights, representing State agency, prisons and officials in Depaiiment of Corrections.
  • City of Grambling v. Grambling State University, et al, Docket No. 52294, 3rd Judicial District Court, Parish of Lincoln, State of Louisiana, 2007 Municipality lawsuit seeking injunction and monetary relief against university, management board, university foundation and private building contractors, representing all State defendants.