William M. Backstrom Jr. and Kathryn S. Friel, both partners in the firm's Tax & Estates Practice Group in the New Orleans office, and John F. Fletcher, a partner in the firm's Tax & Estates Practice Group in the Jackson office, will participate as speakers at the 20th Annual Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax Forum, held in Nashville, Tennessee on October 28-30, 2013. The program will provide industry, practitioners, and state revenue employees the opportunity to participate in a quality forum exploring significant national developments and trends in state and local taxation. Mr. Backstrom's presentation is titled, "SALT Issues in Business Restructurings and Reorganizations," and Ms. Friel will participate in the southeast roundtable discussion. Mr. Fletcher's presentation is titled, "The Use (and Abuse) of State Tax Discretionary Authority. Jones Walker is a sponsor of this event.