Constance "Conny" Charles Willems is a member of the firm's New Orleans office. She has more than thirty years of litigation experience, practicing before federal and state courts, Public Service Commissions and other state and federal administrative agencies located in various states, with a practice concentration in commercial litigation, utilities, telecommunications, water and transportation, regulatory law, international litigation and riparian rights. Her transactional experience includes lender representation in regulated and unregulated energy and utility projects. Conny has successfully represented class action plaintiffs, obtaining a judgment in favor of the class for $75 million, and was responsible for the distribution of the class fund to more than 200,000 claimants. Conny has taught international law in the European Law Program of Tulane University School of Law in Amsterdam, Holland. She has also taught at Loyola University in New Orleans. Conny has been selected for inclusion to Woodward White's Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation, Public Utility Law and Communications Law. She is Honorary Consul of The Netherlands in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Conny received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of New Orleans, magna cumlaude, in 1974. Conny received her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 1977 (with honors). At UNO, she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Club, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Alpha Theta Epsilon Honor Society. While at Tulane, she was a member of the Moot Court Board, vice-president of the senior class, and founder and president of the International Legal Society. She was elected one of Ten Best Dressed Women by the Men of Fashion, 1997 Commercial Litigation Practice emphasizing litigation of commercial disputes, international law and public utilities regulation before state and federal courts and agencies in and outside Louisiana. Professional Affiliations ˇ Consular Corps, New Orleans, Member 1989 - present; Secretary/Treasurer (1994 - 1998, 2008); Vice Dean (2005); Executive Committee (2005 - present) ˇ Energy Bar Association, Board Member - New Orleans Chapter (1988 - 1991) ˇ Louisiana State Bar Association, Chair, International Law Section (1994 - 2001) Law Reform Committee ˇ Loyola University College of Law, Teaching Law Office Management course (1986 - 1990) ˇ The New Orleans Bar Association, Co-chair Women's Issues Committee (2002) ˇ Tulane University School of Law, Member, Supervisory Board (1992); ˇ University of New Orleans, Member of the Advisory Board, Liberal Arts College (1995 - 2000); Vice President (1997 - 1998); President (1998 - 2000) ˇ World Trade Center of New Orleans, President (2009 - present); President-Elect (2008); Board Member (2001 - present); Executive Board Member (2002 - present); Vice President (2005); Treasurer (2003 - 2004) ˇ Urban League, Board of Directors (2004 - present) ˇ Committee of 21, Member - Executive Committee (1994 - 2000, 2001 - 2009) President (1997 - 1999, 2003 - 2004) Secretary (2002 - 2003) Community and Other Activities ˇ Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, 1989 - present ˇ Assistant Bar Examiner, Ethics (1983 - 1985); Torts (1985 - 1990) ˇ Louisiana Bar Association, Delegate, House of Delegates, 1984 - 1985 ˇ New Orleans Ballet Association, Board Member (1999 - present); Secretary (2000 - 2009); Vice President (2010 - present) ˇ New Orleans Opera Association, Board Member (1995 - 2005); Fund Raising Committee Member (1990 - 1993); President of Mastersingers (2002 - 2004); Executive Committee (2002 - 2004) Professional Recognition ˇ Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated Lawyer ˇ The Best Lawyers in America ® (Communications Law) ˇ Louisiana Super Lawyers Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business Litigation, General Litigation, Utilities Awards & Honors ˇ "Leadership in Law", CityBusiness, 2007 ˇ Distinguished Alumni Award, University of New Orleans, 1989 |