Staff

Richard Bourke—Director

Richard Bourke is the director of the LCAC. He graduated from the Melbourne University School of Law in Australia where he also gained a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Criminology. Richard came to New Orleans to volunteer and then worked at the LCAC after pursuing a successful career as a criminal barrister in Australia. In 2007, Richard was awarded the Sam Dalton Capital Defense Award by the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Before his legal career, Richard worked as a youth counselor and social worker with adolescent victims of physical and sexual abuse. Richard is licensed in Louisiana, Texas, federal court, and the United States Supreme Court and is certified as lead capital trial, appellate, and post-conviction counsel.

Christine Lehmann—Senior Capital Attorney

Christine Lehmann is a senior capital attorney at the LCAC. Christine graduated from Yale Law School after previously completing a Masters in Theology at Harvard. She clerked in the Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals before beginning work as a staff attorney at the LCAC in 2002. In October 2006, Christine left the office temporarily to help reform the Orleans indigent defender program, serving as Director of Special Litigation at the Orleans Public Defenders. In April 2007, Christine became the District Defender for Orleans and remained at that position through August 2008, during which time she oversaw tremendous structural reform. Christine returned to the LCAC in September 2008. Christine has a particular expertise in working with clients with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Christine is licensed to practice in Louisiana and in federal court and is certified as lead capital trial counsel.

Kim Watts—Office Manager, Personnel Director, and Financial Manager

Kim Watts is the LCAC's Office Manager, Personnel Director, and Financial Manager. Kim manages an array of duties ranging from managing the daily affairs of the office to financial planning. Kim also deals with staff needs such as health plans, leave, work environment, and equipment. Kim earned a degree in Political Science from Xavier University while working her way through school. She has worked to organize a student forum on racism and campaigned for several political candidates. While at Xavier, Kim undertook an internship with the Loyola Death Penalty Resource Center and was later employed by it as a research assistant. Prior to her arrival at the LCAC, Kim was a legal secretary/paralegal for Loyola's Post-Conviction Defender Organization.