01.25.08
New Orleans NALTEA Conference was Worthwhile
A group of about 40 interested abstract and title professionals from at least 18 states gathered in New Orleans for the 5th annual NALTEA conference January 18-20. The group discussed serious concerns about privacy issues relating to land records, and the outlook for the smaller title players the future.
Two particularly interesting speakers went through Louisiana history and land records. Debbie and Chuck Thibodeaux, of TENSTAR Corporation shared many interesting facts about Louisiana and the influences exerted upon the state’s people due to the various cultures that called this area home over the years.
LA was primarily settled by black slaves and by French prisoners, who were evicted from France and sent to Louisiana to settle New Orleans when the King was unable to get people to move to the “new world.” Debbie told me she was born and raised in Martinsville, LA an hour or so away from New Orleans in an area refered to as Le Petit Paris, where everyone spoke French on a day to day basis. She said that in the 1970’s, when she was in public school, all her textbooks, newspapers and other reading materials were in French. One day they were told that some new teachers were being brought in to teach them English. They called the teachers Mlles. Americaines. I had no idea that there were parts of the country so different in the 1970’s. But then again, we still had segregation in the 1960’s.
While Louisiana is different from the other 49 states, because its law is based on French Napoleonic Code, and its rules and regulations remain different from those maintained and followed in other states, as Debbie and Chuck also went through a number of documents used in LA, that were not familiar in name, they were variations of a theme for documents familiar to us all, with Parishes in place of counties, etc.
Another outstanding speaker was Matthew Monson, an attorney who defended an abstractor, who according to custom left off a couple of parcels from a search that were clearly not intended to be searched, but which lead to a law suit against him. The case was fascinating, and reminded us all to be sure to review our professional liability insurance!
Blaine Ardoin from the LA Land Title Association said that he felt the conference was very good, and especially enjoyed the education, saying how hard it is to get excellent speakers for title abstractors and examiners. Many of the persons who took the prep session for the NALTEA Certified Examiner Designation said they were pleased with the review. The test itself was deemed difficult, but fair.
In addition to working sessions, there was an amazing Ghost Tour of New Orleans, led by an author of paranormal activities who has been seen on BBC, PBS, and many other TV programs. She did an excellent and scary job of leading us through the haunts of the city. Along with Bourban Street Jazz, outstanding Cajun restaurants, and a preliminary mardi gras parade, it was an event to be remembered.