1. A. The following shall be observed in the opening of workers' compensation court and general courtroom decorum.

   1. 1. The bailiff shall open each session of workers' compensation court with an appropriate recitation and order, as directed by the judge.

2. B. General Courtroom Conduct

   1. 1. No person may engage in any conduct that would be disruptive to the business of the court, including but not limited to the following:

      1. a. No tobacco or vaping in any form will be permitted at any time.
      2. b. No food or beverage shall be brought into the courtroom, unless permitted by the court.
      3. c. Displaying any political advertisement of any nature while in the courthouse.
      4. d. No firearms, knives, or other weapons shall be brought into the courtroom, unless permitted by the judge or by law.
3. C. As officers of the workers' compensation court, attorneys are reminded of their obligations to assist in maintaining the dignity of the court. All attorneys and other officers of the court shall dress in appropriate professional attire in the virtual or physical courtroom.
4. D. Hats, shorts, bare midriffs or bare feet in the virtual or physical courtroom are prohibited. Witnesses, parties, and spectators shall appear in appropriate attire as determined by the judge.

5. E. Attorney Conduct

   1. 1. Any attorney who tenders himself or herself before the court and represents that he or she is duly authorized to practice law, but who has been declared ineligible, suspended, or disbarred from practice before the courts of this State, may be subject to contempt proceedings upon motion of the court or any party.
   2. 2. No one may represent a party or witness in any proceeding except counsel of record, unless allowed to do so by law.
   3. 3. As a general rule and at the discretion of the court, attorneys desiring to address the court while it is in session shall do so while standing. Unless directed otherwise by the judge, all judgments, orders, decrees, or other documents shall be handed to the bailiff, who shall hand them to the judge.
   4. 4. Private conversation or conference between attorneys or others in attendance during any court session should not be disruptive to the proceedings.
   5. 5. Attorneys shall address all remarks, objections, and comments to the judge, never to opposing counsel. Impromptu argument or discussion between counsels will not be permitted.
   6. 6. Except with leave of court obtained, only one attorney for each party shall examine any one witness.
   7. 7. Counsel may not approach the witness in the witness chair without first obtaining the court’s permission.
   8. 8. Before showing an exhibit to a witness, counsel shall first either show opposing counsel the exhibit or provide opposing counsel with a copy of the exhibit.
   9. 9. Unless agreed upon by all parties, counsel and parties shall not copy the court on correspondence between them.
   10. 10. Attorneys shall abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct and should abide by the Louisiana Code of Professionalism.

6. F. Code of Professionalism in the Courts

   1. 1. Attorneys and judges should conform to the Code of Professionalism..

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 23:1310.1.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Louisiana Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Administration, LR 25:267 (February 1999), amended LR 25:1861 (October 1999), amended by Louisiana Works, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, LR 51:1621 (October 2025).