Congratulations to All Award Recipients! Several LSBA members and a legal organization received awards June 9 during the association’s 2022 Annual Meeting in Destin, Fla. President’s Awards The 2022 President’s Award recipients were chosen by 2021-22 LSBA President H. Minor Pipes III. Recognized were Judge Fredericka Homberg Wicker, 5th Circuit Court of Appeal, recognized for her exemplary leadership, overall commitment to the profession and myriad contributions to the training of lawyers and judges; Dean Madeleine M. Landrieu, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, recognized for her exemplary leadership as a judge and law school dean and for her overall commitment to the practice of law in Louisiana; attorney Robert J. David, a partner in the New Orleans office of Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, LLC, recognized for his myriad contributions to the profession and the LSBA; and attorney Frank X. Neuner, Jr., a founder and the managing partner of NeunerPate in Lafayette, recognized for his exemplary leadership of the Louisiana Client Assistance Foundation and his myriad contributions to indigent defense in Louisiana. Distinguished Service to the Profession Award Robert A. Kutcher, managing partner in the Metairie law firm Kutcher Tygier & Luminais, LLP, received the LSBA’s Distinguished Service to the Profession Award, recognized for his many years of exemplary service and accomplishments as a leader of the LSBA. Stephen T. Victory Memorial Award Zachary S. Miller of Baton Rouge received the 2022 Stephen T. Victory Memorial Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the Louisiana Bar Journal. He was recognized for his article, “Space Law for the Louisiana Practitioner: 37 Years Later.” Miller is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Chaffe McCall, LLP. John A. “T-Jean” Hernandez III Memorial Award David E. Marcantel of Jennings received the 2022 John A. “T-Jean” Hernandez III Memorial Award, presented for achievements in Francophone leadership. He has been in private practice in Jennings since 1976. For the last 20 years, he has served as the chief public defender of the 31st Judicial District. Catherine D. Kimball Award for Advancement of the Administration of Justice Judge Randall L. Bethancourt of Houma and Judge (Ret.) William A. Morvant of Baton Rouge both received the 2022 Catherine D. Kimball Award for Advancement of the Administration of Justice. Judge Bethancourt has served as a judge for the 32nd Judicial District Court in Terrebonne Parish since 2003. Judge Morvant served as a judge for the 19th Judicial District Court (East Baton Rouge Parish) from 1997 until his retirement in 2021. Judge Benjamin Jones Judges in the Classroom Award Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Scott J. Crichton of Shreveport received the 2022 Judge Benjamin Jones Judges in the Classroom Award. Crichton is serving his eighth year as associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award Judge (Ret.) Freddie Pitcher, Jr. of Baton Rouge received the 2022 Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award. Pitcher, a former chancellor of Southern University Law Center, became the first African-American elected to a judgeship in Baton Rouge with his election to the City Court in a citywide election in 1983. He was the first African-American elected to the 19th Judicial District Court in a parishwide election in 1987. He achieved another first with his election to the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in 1992, without opposition. He joined the law firm of Phelps Dunbar, LLP, upon his retirement from the bench in 1997. Guardian of Diversity Award The Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc. received the 2022 Guardian of Diversity Award. GNO Martinet and its board members have actively promoted diversity since its founding in 1957. GNO Martinet’s programs, including Pathways and Pipelines to Success, the Raising the Bar Initiative and the Judicial Internship Diversity Project, illustrate the ongoing commitment to this objective. LSBA Young Lawyers Division Bat P. Sullivan, Jr. Chair’s Award Josef P. Ventulan of Baton Rouge received the 2022 LSBA Young Lawyers Division’s Bat P. Sullivan, Jr. Chair’s Award. Ventulan is a staff attorney with the Louisiana State Law Institute (LSLI). Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award Harry J. (Skip) Philips, Jr. of Baton Rouge received the 2022 Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award. Philips is of counsel in the Baton Rouge office of Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, LLP.