Posts Tagged ‘New Orleans’
Bloom Legal Video Blog: Seth talks about MIP
February 1st, 2012 | Posted in Personal Injury by bloom | No Comments »
Jazz Fest 2012 Adds a Surprise Headliner: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
January 25th, 2012 | Posted in Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »
Springsteen performs at Jazz Fest in 2006
In 2006, during the first Jazz Fest since Hurricane Katrina, Bruce Springsteen arguably gave the most powerful and emotionally-charged performance the four-decade long festival had ever seen. “I thought it was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen thousands of shows,” Quint Davis, the festival’s longtime producer and director said. “Reverend Springsteen held church, and ministered to a flock.”
Now, after a six year absence, the Boss will return to headline the Acura Stage on April 29, the first Sunday of Jazz Fest. His opening acts will be Dr. John and John Mayer, artists that would be major headliners themselves anywhere else.
The deal was done last-minute, and involved both savvy business maneuvers and musical diplomacy to secure a full set for Springsteen. Given Springsteen’s history with Jazz Fest, he is “part of our festival DNA,” Davis said. “We’re thrilled that he still has New Orleans in his heart and that he’s coming back to play Jazz Fest with the E Street Band.”
One Party Ends, Another Begins
January 10th, 2012 | Posted in Local Issues, Mardi Gras, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
The pigskin revelry may be over in New Orleans after Monday’s college National Championship game, with Alabama shutting out LSU 21-0, but the city is far from done. Mardi Gras kicks off in just over a month, and another sports nirvana – the Final Four – will be hosted here at the end of March. Not only will New Orleans continue to be the focus of a powerful media lens, but the economic boom of thousands of tourists spending money on hotels, restaurants, and merchandise will grow even stronger. It’s a good time to be a New Orleanian!
NBA’s New Labor Agreement – Good News for the Hornets?
November 28th, 2011 | Posted in Hornets, Legislation, Local Issues, National Issues, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
Photo Courtesy of Zimbio.com
It finally looks like the 150-day NBA lockout will be coming to an end, after both owners and players tentatively agreed to a deal early Saturday morning that would split basketball-related income roughly 50/50 among both sides – and raises hopes for new Hornets ownership that is dedicated to keeping the franchise in New Orleans. The new revenue sharing model, which decreases the portion that players receive of so-called basketball-related income, or “BRI,” from 57 percent to between 49 to 51 percent, means that it is more attractive for a new owner to come forward and invest in the New Orleans franchise. If the deal is ratified, the season would start on Christmas day and would be reduced to 66 games as opposed to the regular 82.
Tulane sports law expert Gabe Feldman said the deal was not perfect for owners of smaller teams, citing that big-market teams would still be able to exploit loopholes to sign away top players, but was still an improvement because of increased revenue sharing and limits on bigger teams’ spending. “I think there’s no question [it helps the ownership search]. I think it makes it more attractive for all owners, but particularly an owner for the Hornets. I think, first of all, the fact that the lockout is now almost over and revenues will start coming in. And there is a system that does make it easier for a team like the Hornets to compete on and off the court,” said Feldman in an interview on Saturday.
However, even with light at the end of the tunnel, significant doubt remains over whether All-Star New Orleans’ point guard Chris Paul will remain with the Hornets. Ironically, under the new proposed CBA, which the NBA is heralding as a fairer approach to contract negotiation, a bigger market team like the New York Knicks could still leverage its larger cap room to attract a big-name player like Paul. Paul has said the new agreement hasn’t effected his decision of whether or not to remain in New Orleans. “I haven’t had an opportunity to do any of that,” he said. “Right now, I’m more worried about packing up so I can get back to the city.”
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy Charged on Rape and Kidnapping
September 13th, 2011 | Posted in Local Issues, NOPD by bloom | No Comments »
Former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy, Thirty-eight-year-old, Dejuan R. Thomas was arrested over allegations that he raped and kidnapped an inmate. Dejaun Thomas has worked for the sheriff’s office since Sept. 2009, and was a prison guard at Orleans Parish Prison.
Mr. Thomas was terminated after his arrest on Friday, September 9th, 2011. He has charges of sexual malfeasance, aggravated rape, and second degree kidnapping. According to a police report obtained by Eyewitness News, former Deputy Dejuan Thomas admitted taking a 21-year-old male inmate into a jailhouse closet for sex, but said it was consensual.
The inmate gave a different account, telling investigators he was forced. He said Thomas led him away in handcuffs under the disguise of a sick call. Dejuan Thomas remains in custody, his bond has been set at $105,000.
An office spokesman said the agency has opened an investigation. Mr. Thomas is facing disturbing charges and prosecutors will aggressively pursue the investigation.
If you or anyone you know are arrested on felony charges, contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to discuss you defense options.
NOPD Announces 180 Arrests For NYE/Sugar Bowl
January 4th, 2011 | Posted in Local Issues, NOPD, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
NOPD Superintendent, Ronal Serpas, recently released figures for NOPD arrests for the period including New Year’s Eve and Sugar Bowl preparations (Thursday December 30, 2010 to Saturday January 1, 2011). 
Total Arrests in the Downtown Area: 180
Felony:
4
Misdemeanor:
9
Municipal:
49
Traffic:
1
DWI:
0
Juvenile:
4
Summons:
33
Curfew Violators:
80
New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl are a time of great celebration in the city but unfortunately that often means that the number of arrests conducted by the New Orleans Police Department increase due to the high incidence of alcohol consumption and large influx of tourists to the area.
If you or someone you know are arrested on the night of the Sugar Bowl, don’t let it ruin the rest of 2011. Contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case with an experienced New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney.
Hornets Lead Off a Big Weekend in Sports
November 19th, 2010 | Posted in Local Issues, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
Tonight the resurging Hornets take on the sans-Lebron Cavaliers and coach Byron Scott. This will be the first match up between New Orleans and Scott since he was fired as the Hornets’ head coach nine games into the ’09 season. Despite his termination no grudges were held, and the coach has remained close with his old players. Chris Paul admitted that it will be strange to see his friend and mentor on the opposing bench but that after tipoff it will be strictly business. The 5-5 Cavaliers will have a tough time breaking through the stifling Hornets defense which has kept every opponent to less than 100 points.
Photo Courtesy of bayareasportsguy.com
While the Hornets are having a stellar season, the Saints have had to struggle through injury. Currently standing one game behind the Falcons at 6-3, they have fallen short of their lofty post-super bowl expectations. The injury bug has bitten hard claiming much of the secondary and the running game, but the team will start to get their legs back as Reggie Bush returns this week against the Seahawks. Many have blamed the Saints’ lack of offensive pop on the absence of Bush’s dynamic skill set which allows the coaching staff to dictate many of his on field matchups.
With the Hornets facing their old coach, Reggie Bush’s value being tested, and LSU trying to erase the memory of an embarrassing loss to Ole Miss last year, this weekend’s games carry added pressure. Let’s hope this does not get in the way of some otherwise favorable matchups.
Given that this is a particularly big weekend for Louisiana sports there will be a large amount of partying taking place throughout the city and surrounding areas. It is important to make sure to make sure to be responsible and to use cab services and designated drivers when possible.
REMINDER: NOPD WILL BE CONDUCTING A DWI CHECKPOINT IN UPTOWN NEW ORLEANS TONIGHT (FRIDAY)!
While we certainly do not condone such behavior, we understand that people make mistakes. If for some reason you are arrested this weekend, contact Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.
Corps of Engineers Contractor Open to Liability in Katrina Levee Failure
September 17th, 2010 | Posted in Courts, Katrina, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »
In a decision on Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal judge’s ruling that Washington Group International (a contractor employed by the Army Corps of Engineers) was entitled to government-contractor immunity.
Photo Courtesy of WelcomeToLimbo.BlogSpot.Com
According to plaintiffs, WGI employed shoddy excavation and back-filling techniques that ultimately compromised the structural integrity of levees designed to keep the Industrial Canal from flooding the Lower Ninth Ward.
The original ruling protected WGI and other government-contractors from liability under the assertion that the contractors were operating under the direct instruction of the Army Corps of Engineers. According to the Fifth Circuit Court’s reversal, however, the Corps of Engineers did not provide instructions as to the methods to be employed and merely gave indications of budgetary restrictions to be followed. This would place liability with the contracting firms as to the methods which they elected to employ in their construction projects.
According to reports, there has yet to be ruling on whether or not the Army Corps of Engineers will be entitled to immunity in these proceedings.
The events surrounding the levee failures following Hurricane Katrina were the subject of a recent documentary by part-time New Orleans resident Harry Shearer called ‘The Big Uneasy’.
This recent ruling has significant implications for people affected by levee failures and breaches in the aftermath of the storm. If you or a loved one have suffered property damage as a result of levee failures in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to discuss how we can fight to help make things right.
Oil Spill Open House to Answer Residents’ Questions this Week
August 16th, 2010 | Posted in BP Oil Spill, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »
BP and the U.S. Coast Guard have scheduled to host an open house at the Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette this Thursday, August 19, to answer questions about the oil spill response.
Photo Courtesy of ThePoliticalCarnival.net
Representatives from BP, the state Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, NOAA, and the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be present. Topics of discussion will include the various efforts being undertaken as part of the oil spill response as well as resources for those affected by the spill.
This open house is likely to be a valuable resource for those in the local area who believe that they have been negatively affected by the BP Oil Spill and may provide the information necessary to determine whether those individuals have claims against BP or other organizations.
The Sigur Civic Center is located at 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, La.:
View Larger Map
If you or a loved one have been affected by the Oil Spill, time is of the essence to ensure that you take the actions necessary to allow you to receive the compensation you are due. We recommend that you attend the open house as well as contacting Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation to learn about how we can advocate for you today.
Starting This Weekend Police Can Pull You Over for Texting
August 13th, 2010 | Posted in Internet/Technology, Local Issues, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »
A law that was passed by the Louisiana State Legislature takes effect this Sunday that will make text messaging while driving a primary offense.
Photo Courtesy of DigitalTrends.com
Prior to this weekend, police were able to cite drivers for text messaging behind the wheel only if they had been pulled over for another primary offense such as speeding. The new law will make it possible for drivers to be stopped merely for being seen texting while driving.
Fines will start at $75 and can go up to as much as $500 for repeat offenders although some police departments have issued statements indicating that they will be issuing warnings early on in order to allow for a short learning curve.
Another part of the law that will take effect this weekend will ban any use of cellphones behind the wheel for drivers age 17 and under.
If you are pulled over and issued a ticket for texting while driving it is important that you consult with an experienced traffic attorney in order to minimize the risk of incurring points against your driver’s license and hikes in your insurance rates. Contact Bloom Legal today at 504-599-9997 to schedule a free consultation.
Follow Us!
